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JOHN    T.  GRIFFITH . 


LANSFORD,   PA. 


BX  6495  .R53  G7  1899 
Griffith,  John  T.  1845-19171 
Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhys,  "The 
Welsh  Baptist  hero  of  civil 


«^£. 


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Hev.  Morga9  Job 


"The  Welsh  Baptist  Hero  of  Civil  and  Religious  Liberty 


of  the  1 8th  Century/1 


BY- 


JOHN    T.  GRIFFITH 


Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  of  Lansford,  Pa. 


Lansford,  Pa.,  March  9,  1899. 


(Copyrighted  by  J.  T  Griffith  ) 


O        O        (>        (1        ()        (I        <) 


LANSFORD.    PA., 

Lkadkr  Job  Print. 
1899. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Preface 3 

CHAPTER  I 
A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Morgan  John  Rhys 7 

CHAPTER  II. 
Mrs.  Ann  Loxley  Rhys 18 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Welsh  Magazine  of  Morgan  John  Rhys 20 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Substance  of  His  Two  Last  Sermons  in  Wales 26 

CHAPTER  V. 
The  Altar  of  Peace ■ 29 

CHAPTER  VI. 
A  Sermon  by  the  Celebrated  Morgan  John  Rhys 36 

CHAPTER  VII 

Appeals  in  Behalf  of  Liberty , 51 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
An  Oration  on  Liberty 55 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Beulah  Settlement  and  Church 59 

CHAPTER  X.— FAMILY  RECORDS 

Rhees  Family 74 

Loxley  Family 77 

Lowry  Family 80 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Morgan  John  Rhees,  Jr.,  D.  D.,  a  son 81 

CHAPTER  XII. 

William  Jones  Rhees,  a  grandson 82 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
An  Appendix 85 


PREFACE. 


A    Word  to  the  Reader: — 

A  few  years  ago  I  received  a  note  from  the  Rev.  J.  Spinther  James, 
M.  A.,  Llandudno,  North  Wales,  author  of  "The  Ancient  Welsh 
Church,"  "The  Welsh  Baptists,"  &c  ,  &c,  requesting  me  to  gather  all  I 
could  of  the  history  of  Morgan  John  Rhys,  and  if  possible  to  <;et  a 
sample  of  his  hand  writing.  This  prompted  me  to  do  all  that  I  could  to 
meet  the  above  request,  I  found  that  I  had  some  of  his  history  already 
in  my  possession  in  the  "Literary  Essays"  of  Rev.  L.  Edwards,  D.  D., 
of  Bala,  and  also  in  "Seren  Gomer,"  by  Rev.  Thomas  Lewis,  of  New- 
port, Wales,  and  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Indiana  Baptist  Association,  by 
Mr.  J.  F.  Barnes;  but  still  I  did  not  have  what  I  wanted  and  needed. 
In  September,  1898.  I  vvrote  a  note  of  inquiry  to  Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  D. 
D.,  Plain  field,  New  Jersey.  He  directed  me  to  Mr.  B.  O.  Loxley,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  Wm  J.  Rbees,  Es<j  ,  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute. 
Washington,  D.  C.  The  latter  is  a  grandson  of  xMorgan  J.  Rhys,  and  it 
is  to  him  that  I  am  indebted  for  all  the  materials  of  his  grandfather 
found  in  this  book,  and  for  the  sample  of  his  hand  writing,  and  for  the 
family  records  on  the  Rhees  and  Loxley  side.  The  Lowry  record  was 
sent  me  by  Dr.  Robert  Lowry.  1  do  not  profess  to  have  exhausted  the 
materials  or  the  history  ot  Al.  J.  R,,  but  I  have  simply  gathered  these 
few  facts  and  materials  as  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  one  who 
deserves  to  be  perpetuated  in  history  as  the  hero  of  liberty  in  the  18th 
century.  Doubtless  after  this  has  appeared  others  will  prepare  a  more 
elaborate  and  worthy  history  of  this  great  and  noble  man.  Rev.  II.  (i. 
Weston,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  D.,and  Mr.  Robert  P.  Bliss,  of  Crozer  Theological 
Seminary,  will  please  accept  my  thanks  for  the  loan  of  the  "Altar  of 
Peace." 

JOHN  THOMAS  GRIFFITH. 
LANSFOKD,  Pa.,  March  9,  1899 


THIS    LITTLE    MEMORIAL   VOLUME 

is 

Dedicated   to 

WM.JONES    RHEES,   Esq, 

A  grandson  of  M.   J.   R., 
Washington,  1>.  €., 

WITH   THE 

SJNCERE  CHRISTIAN   LOVE 


(IK 


THE   AUTHOR, 


Morgan   John    Rhys. 


CHAPTER   I. 

T)r.  Arniitage  said  that  Morgan  John  Rhys  was  ''the  Welsh  Baptist 
"Hero  of  Religious  Liberty  "  Dr.  Lewis  Edwards, of  Bala,  Wales,  said  that 
lie  was  "a  man  who  had  consecrated  his  life  to  fight  against  oppression 
and  tyranny,  and  that  he  excelled  as  a  defender  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,"  and  the  Rev  J.  Spinther  James,  M.  A,  says  "that  he  was  a 
man  tor  in  advance  of  his  age,*  and  that  he  was  not  properly  known  nor 
properly  appreciated  by  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  nor  the  one  that  fol- 
lowed. He  was  one  of  the  few  Welsh  who  belonged  to  that  class  that 
started  the  ball  of  the  reformation  to  roll  in  Europe.  Inasmuch  as  that 
ball  in  its  course  struck  the  British  government  and  shattered  it,  so  that 
the  American  colonies  became  free  forever,  and  inasmuch  as  it  also 
struck  the  opnressive  monarchy  of  France,  so  as  to  cause  the  great  revolu- 
tion there,  so  that  the  English  government  was  so  possessed  with  fear 
that  the  lives  of  all  who  advocated  liberty  were  in  danger,"  M.  J.  R. 
became  one  of  the  objects  of  its  persecution,  as  we  shall  see.  "It  is  in 
connection  with  the  history  of  such  men  as  M.  J.  R.  that  the  progress  of 
the  world  is  to  be  studied."  (See  Seren  Gomer  for  Sept.,  1898,  pp  257, 
258  ) 

Hence  no  apology  is  needed  for  calling  the  attention  of  all  who  love 
liberty  to  the  history  of  the  above  noble  character  even  though  it  may  be 
brief. 

Morgan  John  Rhys  was  a  sou  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Rees,  of 
Graddfa,  Llanfabon,  Glamorganshire,  South  Wales,  where  he  was  born 
Dec  8,  1700.  Inasmuch  ns  his  father  was  a  prosperous  farmer,  M.  J.  R. 
received  the  best  educational  advantages  that  were  possible  in  that  age- 
He  united  with  the  Baptist  Church  of  Hengoed,  where,  also,  he  besran 
to  preach  and  whence  he  went  to  Bristol  College  in  August,  1786. 
lie  only  remained  one  year  at  Bristol,  for  on  Nov.  17,  1787,  he  was  or- 
dained as  pastor  of  the  Penygarn  Baptist  Church,  Pontypool.     We  have 

■This  is  Been  in  tin'  fact  that  he  formed  a  society  to  translate  and  circulate  the 
Scriptures  freely  at  least  twelve  years  before  there  was  any  thought  of  the  British  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society. — Spinther. 


a  report  of  him  preaching  at  the  Association  at  Llauerchymedd  in  1788 
[n  the  minutes  of  the  Association  that  was  held  at  Hengoed  in  1791^ 
there  is  a  note  stating  that  the  church  at  Penygarn  complains  that  their 
pastor  is  ahout  to  leave;"  but  no  reason  for  his  leaving  is  given.  The 
spirit  of  travelling  Mas  strong  in  M.  J.  R.,  and  he  did  not  confine  hi.s- 
service  to  the  Baptists.  We  have  an  account  of  him  being  at  the  In- 
dependent Chapel  at  Llanwrtyd  in  the  year  1791.  Rpv.  D.  Williams 
Troedrhiwdalar,  died  in  1874,  at  the  age  of  95  years.  He  said  that  he 
heard  him  preach  twice  on  Easter  Monday,  1791,  at  Gelynos.  Llanwrtyd. 
David  Jones,  formerly  of  Penygarn,  was  with  him.  A  man  named 
Morgan  Waters  was  converted  under  the  ministry  of  the  strangers.  He 
became  a  useful  member  at  Gelynos  for  40  vears.  and  his  desire  was  to  be 
buried  in  the  Chapel  at  the  spot  where  he  sat  when  he  heard  the  ministry 
that  was  the  means  of  converting  him  to  the  Lord.  Rev  D.  Williams 
was  one  of  the  subscribers  of  the  magazine  of  M.J.  Rhys.  (See  Dr. 
Phillips  in  Seren  Cymru,  May  17,  1867.) 

M.  J  Rhys  was  at  the  Association  at  Swansea  in  1791,  and  at  the 
Association  at  Hengoed  on  the  first  Wednesday  and  Thursday  of  June 
of  the  same  year.  He  went  to  France  soon  after  this.*  He  believed 
that  the  Revolution  had  opened  the  way  for  the  circulation  of  the  Bible 
and  the  gospel  in  that  country. 

One  who  resided  in  France  at  that  time  wrote  as  follows:  "There  ir- 
religious liberty  here  for  all  without  distinction,  and  every  sect  can 
preach  in  the  churches  without  opposition  from  any.  The  Bible  has  al- 
ready been  translated  into  the  language." 

( Dr.  Rippon's  Baptist  Register,  1798,  p  46o  )  Perhaps  that  M.  J.  R. 
had  heard  of  this,  and  such  news  was  sufficient  to  stir  him,  inasmuch 
as  he  was  full  of  zeal,  and  ready  to  improve  all  the  blessings  of  Liberty. 
After  having  been  in  France  a  few  months,  he  returned  to  Wales  (hav- 
ing been  hindered  by  the  war;  and  settled  in  Carmarthen  town,  where 
he  started  a  book  store  and  a  printing  press  He  was  at  the  Association 
at  Moleston  in  1792,  and  was  the  Moderator.  He  preached  at  that 
Association,  Welsh  and  English  in  the  same  sermon.  In  the  minutes  of 
this  Association  we  find  the  following  resolution:  "At  the  request  of 
Brother  M.  Rhys,  it  was  agreed  to  request  the  churches  to  raise  a  collec- 
tion towards  sending  the  Word  of  the  Lord  to  the  French,  and  to  send 

*The  following  paragraph  appeared  recently  in  a  newspaper  in  France,  viz, 
Echo,  de,  la  Verite: — "In  the  year  1792  Mr.  Rhys,  a  gospel  minister  of  Pontypool, 
Wales,  came  to  Paris  to  explain  the  "Word  of  God.  He  believed  that  the  time  had 
come,  ami  he  hoped  that  the  people  had  become  tired  of  the  oppression  of  kings  and 
Romish  priests,  and  that  they  were  ready  to  take  advantage  of  the  freedom  that  he 
proclaimed.  Mr.  Rhys  rented  a  hall  in  which  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  to  distribute 
ISiMes  to  the  people.  But  things  turned  out  contrary  to  his  thoughts,  hence  he  left." 
— Rev.  Thomas  Lewis. 


it  to  Mr.  Williams,  of  Cardigan,  that  he  may  send  the  money  to  those 
who  were  to  distribute  the  Bibles  that,  came  out  in  the  language  of  that 
country."  About  this  time  he  persuaded  his  friend,  Joshua  Watkins, 
of  Llanwenarth.  to  come  to  him.  He  also  was  a  popular  preacher,  but 
had  not  yet  been  ordained.  These  two  young  men  (  M.  .J.  Rhys,  31  years 
old,  and  Joshua  Watkins,  22  years  old)  worked  together  in  the  book 
business  and  the  printing.  Prior  to  this  and  after  this  M.  J.  R.  labored 
to  establish  Sunday  Schools  through  the  country,  and  at  the  Association 
that  was  held  at  Cwmdu  in  1798  a  resolution  was  passed  l,to  advise  the 
churches  to  make  an  effort  to  have  Welsh  schools  to  teach  the  youth  to 
read  the  Scriptures.  In  the  year  1793,  four  numbers,  Gd  each,  of  his 
magazine  were  issued,  and  one  in  February,  1794 

In  his  work  in  establishing  schools,  Sunday  and  week  evenings,  he 
published  a  book. for  that  purpose,  entitled,  "A  Guide  and  Encourage 
merit  to  Establish  Sunday  Schools  and  Weekly,  in  the  Welsh  Language 
through  Wales,  with  lessons  easy  to  learn,  and  principles  easy  for  chi  - 
dren  to  understand,  and  others  who  are  illiteral ."  "Train  up  a  child  in 
the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it." — 
Solomon,  Carmarthen.  Printed  and  for  sale  by  J.  Ross,  August  Street 
For  sale  also  by  J.  Daniel,  Market  street;  T.  Evans,  Machynlleth,  and 
by  ministers  of  the  Gospel  and  others  who  wish  the  success  of  the  cause 
through  Wales  1793.  Following  this  first  page  we  have  a  "Preface" 
in  two  pages — then  ''the  order  of  the  Sunday  Schools,  the  mode  of  con- 
ducting them,  instructions  to  teachers  as  to  the  way  to  read  correctly. 
Then  we  have  the  alphabet  and  lessons  in  spelling,  that  cover  24  pages. 
Then  we  have  portions  of  Dr  Watt's  Cathechism,  and  some  of  his 
hymns  for  children,  and  a  few  prayers  for  them,  and  instructions  re- 
specting punctuation  in  reading,  arithmetic,  the  way  to  count  time,  &c. 
The  book  is  well  printed  and  contains  48  pages;  the  last  thing  in  the 
book  is  a  'Letter  to  the  Welsh  fiom  the  Agents  of  the  Welsh  Magazine  " 
In  his  preface  to  this  book  M.  J.  Rhys  says  that  he  had  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  have  a  talk  with  Mr.  Raikes,  of  Gloucester,  respecting  the 
Sunday  Schools.  (A  copy  of  this  book  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Rev. 
T.  Lewis,  Baptist  Minister,  Newport,  Mon.,  Wales. )  Who  can  estimate 
the  amount  of  good  accomplished  through  this  little  book  in  Wales? 

Dr  Jenkins,  of  Heugoed,  says  that  M.  J  Rhys  came  to  the  place 
where  he  lived  in  1793 — "An  highly  esteemed  minister  named  Morgan 
Rhys  came  this  way;  *  *  *  He  labored  diligently  *  *  *  to  agitate 
the  idea  of  establishing  Sunday  Schools  in  Wales,  before  they  had  begun 
with  any  other  religious  denomination  in  the  principality.  He  came 
through  Llangynidr  as  well  as  other  places  to  preach,  and  to  urge  the 
people  to  establish  Sund  iy  Schools  and  week  evening;  and  he  had 
written  a  small  book  worth  3d  for  beginners.     I   bought   one  of   them. 


By  having  that  book,  and  a  few  lessons  for  a  short  time  in  a  night 
school  that  was  kept  from  house  to  house  in  the  neighborhood,  with  a 
little  help  from  my  master  at  home,  I  had.  the  invaluable  privilege  of 
learning  to  read  the  Word  of  God  "     (Autobiography  p.  13  ) 

The  above  Mr.  Jenkins  was  a  farmer's  servant  at  Llangynidr  at  the 
time  he  bought  that  little  book  from  Mr.  Rhys,  but  he  became  the  dis- 
tinguished Dr.  John  Jenkins,  of  Hengoed,  of  which  he  was  pastor  for 
fifty  years  or  more,  and  which  was  also  the  mother  church  of  Mr.  Rhys 
himself.  It  is  claimed  that  Mr.  Rhys  established  a  Sunday  Sdhool  at 
Hengoed  before  he  went  to  Bristol,  i.  e  ,  before  August,  1786,  for  he  did 
not  reside  at  his  old  home  after  that.  In  a  letter  that  Mr.  Raikes  wrote 
on  July  27,  1787,  to  Mr.  W.  Fox,  he  says:  "I  have  sent  you  my  paper 
this  week,  that  you  may  see  that  we  are  extending  towards  Wales." 
(See  Robert  Ra  ike's  biography,  p  107.) 

Rev.  Mr.  Lewis,  of  Newport,  Wales,  from  whose  article  on  M.  J.  R. 
I  have  had  all  the  facts  thus  far  in  this  sketch,  says  that  being  very 
anxious  to  know  how  much  the  Gloucester  Journal  contained  respecting 
Wales,  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Chance,  the  editor,  who  very  kindly  answered 
as  follows,  without  delay:  ''There  is  a  letter  bxiefly  noticing  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  anniversary  of  Sunday  Schools  at  Cardiff.  No  names  or 
more  precise  information  appears."  What  a  pity  that  the  names  of  the 
participants  were  not  given!  An  anniversary  is  held  at  the  close  of  the 
year,  hence  there  must  have  been  Sunday  Schools  at  Cardiff  and  the 
surrounding  country  in  1788,  and  perhaps  before  that.  Mr.  Lewis  thinks 
that  the  school  of  INT.  J.  Rhys  is  found  in  this  period.  One  special 
characteristic  of  M.  J.  R.  was  quickness  with  all  things.  After  having 
thought  of  some  good  plan,  he  would  put  it  into  practice  at  once.  He 
had  known  of  the  schools  of  Mr.  Raikes  since  the  year  1780,  or  soon  after 
that,  and  he  could  not  remain  long  without  attempting  the  same  thing. 
The  schools  that  had  been  begun  by  Mr.  Raikes  had  iucrea-ed  by  1786 
to  250,000  pupils.  That  was  wonderful  progress  in  five  years  (Gregory 
}).  90.)  Mr.  Raikes  says  in  1786  that  the  "dissenters"  of  all  denomina- 
tions worked  with  all  their  might  with  the  Sunday  School.  One  of  the 
chief  ones  in  this  work  was  Mr.  Fox  He  was  a  native  of  Gloucester, 
but  at  that  time  he  was  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  Church  of  Prescott  St., 
London 

M  J.  Hhys  preached  at  the  Association  which  was  held  at  Ebenezer 
Anglesey  in  1704,  when  "the  churches  were  exhorted  to  continue  to 
est  iblish  Sunday  Schools  to  teach  the  youth  and  others  to  read  Welsh."' 
July  2nd,  after  the  Association,  M.  J.Rhys  preached  at  Glynceiriog, 
when  John  Edward  and  Thomas  Jones  were  set  apart  But  although 
he  was  thus  in  the  midst  of  his  popularity  and  usefulness,  yet  the  time 
had  come  when  he  must   leave   his   native   land   and  flee   to   America 


n 

which  he  did  August  1st,  1794,  which  was  less  than  a  month  after  he 
had  preached  at  Glyneeiriog.  The  manner  in  which  he  left  Wales  and 
the  reason  why  he  left  is  graphically  described  by  the  Rev.  T.  Lewis  in 
the  article  already  referred  to,  and  for  the  sake  of  the  English  reader  I 
will  translate  it  verbatim:  "I  frequently  made  inquiries  in  Carmarthen 
(Mr  Lewis  was  a  pastor  of  a  Baptist  Church  in  Carmarthen  for  several 
years. — G.)  whether  he  had  been  imprisoned;  I  searched  the  records  of 
conviction;  I  questioned  the  Jailor  and  Mr  George  Thomas,  the  Town 
Clerk;  but  I  failed  to  find  any  evidence  that  he  had  ever  been  punished 
or  arrested,  yet  it  is  easily  to  believe  that  he  was  constantly  in  danger, 
for  we  find  the  following  words  iu  his  Reasons  for  Going  to  America.—- 
"We  are  not  without  seeing  this  persecuting  spirit  already.  Many  of 
our  fellow-countrymen  say  that  hanging  or  burning  is  too  good  foi  us; 
that  we  should  be  tortured  and  torn  in  pieces  by  wild  animals  But 
what  for?  For  nothing  in  the  world  but  for  desiring  their  welfare,  anrt 
for  trying  to  open  their  eyes  to  see  their  civil  and  religious  rights,  but 
thus  far  they  love  darkness  rather  than  light."  (p.  11.)  To  show  the 
danger  to  which  M.J.  R.  was  exposed  we  might  note  that  Rev  Thomas 
Evans  (Thomas  Glyn  Cothi),  a  Unitarian  minister,  who  was  a  very 
zealous  advocate  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  was  imprisoned  in  1776  at 
Carmarthen  for  two  years,  and  he  was  twice  in  the  pillory.  He  was 
imprisoned  for  defending  liberty — this  was  the  only  charge  that  could 
be  brought  against  him.*  (See  his  history  in  Gardd  Aberdare,  ppS9-110 
The  reader  will  see  that  M.  J  Rhys  left  very  suddenly  for  America. 
Shortly  before  this  he  intended  to  publish  a  hymn   book    and   for  that 

LORD   BROUGHAM'S    VIEW   OF    PITT'S    ADMINISTRATION. 

;l;' 'Gentlemen: — I  stand  up  in  this  contest  against  the  friends  and  followers  of  Mr. 
Pitt,  or  as  they  partially  designate  him,  "The  Immortal  Statesman,"  now  no  more. 
Immortal  in  the  miseries  of  his  devoted  country!  Immortal  in  the  wounds  of  her 
bleeding  liberties !  Immortal  in  the  cruel  wars  which  sprang  from  his  eold,  calculat- 
ing ambition!  Immortal  in  the  intolerable  taxes,  the  countless  loads  of  debt  which 
these  wars  have  flung  upon  us — which  the  youngest  man  among  us  will  not  live  to 
see  the  end  of!  Immortal  in  the  triumphs  of  our  enemies,  and  the  ruin  of  our  allies: 
the  costly  purchase  of  so  much  blood  and  treasure  !  Immortal  in  the  afflictions  of 
England,  and  the  tumultations  of  her  friends,  through  the  whole  results  of  his 
twenty  years'  reign,  from  the  first  rays  of  favor  with  which  a  delighted  court  gilded 
his  early  apostasy,  to  the  deadly  glare  winch  is  at  this  instant  cast  upon  his  name  by 
the  burning  metropolis  of  our  last  ally  !  (The  news  of  the  burning  of  Moscow  had 
reached  Liverpool  that  very  day).  But  may  no  such  immortality  ever  tall  to  my  lot 
— let  me  rather  live  innocent  and  inglorious;  and  when  at  last  I  cease  to  serve  you 
and  to  feel  your  wrongs,  may  I  have  humble  monument  in  some  nameless  stone,  to 
tell  that  beneath  it  there  rests  from  his  labors  in  your  service  "an  enemy  of  the  Im- 
mortal Statesman,  a  friend  of  peace  and  of  the  people." — Prom  a  speech  delivered  in 
Liverpool  in  L812.  (See  "Oratory  and  Orators,"  by  Wm.  Matthews,  \j.  L.  D.,  p. 
2(j3).  Such  are  the  principles  of  the  man  who  caused  the  departure  of  M.  .1.  I!,  from 
his  native  land. — G. 


12 

purpose  he  was  soliciting  subscribers  from  the  churches.  Whilst  in  the 
midst  of  his  plans  he  (led.  How  are  w*1  to  account  for  this?  I  received 
the  following  explanation  of  this  difficult  matter  from  Mr.  E.  Alguin 
Evans,  one  who  had  been  a  school  master  all  his  life  time  in  the  town  of 
Carmarthen.  He  would  have  been  over  a  hundred  years  old  had  he 
been  alive  now  (in  1S!)1 ).  The  facts  were  frequently  repeated  to  him  by 
rhe  Rev.  Joshua  Watkins,  pastor  of  Prior  Street  Church,  who  died  in 
1841,  aged  72  years.  It  happened  thus  :  "In  the  year  1794  a  Mr.  Reed 
kept  a  hoiel  on  the  grounds  where  the  Town  Hall  now  stands.  Morgan 
Rhys  and  his  friends  used  to  meet  in  a  private  room  at  this  hotel.  One 
night,  about  the  close  of  July  in  the  year  stated,  a  stranger  came  sudden- 
ly in  and  asked  for  lodging  there.  After  having  had  it,  and  been  seated, 
he  asked  Mr.  Reed  if  he  knew  a  person  in  town  by  the  name  of  Morgan 
Rhys.  He  received  an  affirmative  answer,  with  the  additional  remark 
that  Mr  Rhys  whs  a  very  good  and  a  very  respectable  man.  Then  the 
stranger  gave  a  hint  that  he  had  been  sent  from  London,  and  that  he 
had  a  warrant  to  arrest  Morgan  Rhys  and  to  take  him  to  the  Capital 
(London).  Mr.  Reed  promised  to  take  the  bailiff  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Rhys  the  next  morning.  Mr  Rhys  happened  to  be  in  the  hotel  at  that 
time,  but  in  another  room.  Mr.  Reed  went  to  him  and  told  him  all, 
and  also  told  him  to  flee  at  once  without  any  delay. 

Afr-r  Mr.  Rhys  had  sent  word  to  bis  friend,  Mr.  Watkins,  and 
had  give.i  him  some  instructions,  he  fled,  walking  to  Lampeter,  and 
from  tbence  to  Newtown  where  he  took  a  conveyance  for  Liverpool. 
After  he  bad  reached  that  place  he  made  arrangements  to  sail  for 
America,  August  1st,  but  before  he  sailed  Mr.  Watkins  reached  Liver- 
pool with  clothes,  etc.,  for  Mr.  R.  They  parted  very  sorrowfully,  and 
by  parting  Mr.  R.  gave  instructions  and  counsels  to  his  friend  as  to 
the  best  course  for  him  to  pursue  in  his  trials.  They  parted  forever 
on  che  earth,  Such  is  the  account  that  Mr.  Lewis  gives  ot  the  man- 
ner and  occasion  of  leaving  Wales  for  America.  He  wrote  a  diary  of 
his  voyage,  and  as  there  are  a  few  extracts  in  the  article  referred  to 
they  will  be  interesting  to  the  English  reader. 

August  1st,  1794,  under  sails  about  half  past  two  in  the  Port  Mary, 
Capt.  Kennedy.  Delightful  wind  with  some  rain  until  we  came  to 
the  main  sea.  So  may  the  spirit  of  myself  and  my  friends  be  whether 
the  weather  be  unseemly  or  pleasant. 

August  2d.  I  rested  pretty  weli  considering  my  new  situation 
among  so  many  different  kinds  of  people— Welsh,  English,  Scotch, 
Germans  and  French,  and  all  in  a  small  portion  of  the  vessel. 
Among  them  there  are  two  physicians,  one  priest,  two  preachers  and 
several  kinds  of  tradesmen.  I  think  that  there  is  a  better  place  here 
to  gather  general  information  than  to  learn  special  morals  from  many 


13 

of  them.  However,  the  wind  turns  and  all  the  people—  men,  women 
and  children  begin  to  sicken,  the  sea  swells  and  throws  up  its  waves 
and  cares  no  more  for  the  pomp  of  men  than  if  they  were  flies.  Yes, 
so  fearfully  is  its  aspects  that  the  strongest  of  men  tremble  before  its 
majesty  aud  roughness.  Ah,  me!  The  women  begin  to  howl,  and  the 
dishes  begin  to  roll,  and  the  children  begin  to  cry,  and  the  men  begin 
to  wayer,  and  my  bowels  beiriu  to  fight  with  all  the  food  that  is  need- 
ful to  support  nature.  But  Oh!  my  spirit,  trouble  not  thyself,  the 
body  shall  be  renewed  and  the  storm  shall  cease;  be  not  afraid,  God 
holds  the  sea  in  the  palm  of  his  hand  and  the  winds  in  his  fist.  The. 
night  is  Hearing,  and  all  the  friends  are  in  trouble.  We  had  a  little  rest. 
August  3d.  The  morning  of  the  first  day  of  the  week.  The  wind 
continues  contrary  and  quite  strong.  I  did  not  rise  out  of  my  ham- 
mock all  day.  Oh!  my  soul,  when  didst  thou  spend  a  Sabbath  like 
this  before?  Brother  J.  Davis  is  pretty  well,  and  takes  care  of  his 
children,  and  singe: 

''Bydd  melusglanio  draw — 

Nol  bod  o  don  i  don, 
Ni  gawn  roi  ffarwel  maes  o  law 

I'r  ddaear  hon." 

The  literal  meaning  of  the  above  is: 

"Sweet  it  will  be  to  land  beyond — 
After  having  been  from  wave  to  wave, 
We  soon  shall  say  farewell 
To  this  earth." 

Whilst  he  was  singing  these  words  I  changed  them  thus: 

"We  soon  shall  say  farewell 
To  this  storm." 

August  4th.  The  second  day  of  the  week — a  little  better  and  the 
wind  more  calm.  The  most  of  the  friends  came  to  eat  and  came  up 
on  deck.  I  have  begun  to  read  and  henceforth  I  hope  to  be  able  to 
read  and  write  more  minutely.  The  wind  is  still  in  the  West,  and  we 
are  not  able  to  make  much  progress — something  like  the  children  of 
Israel  in  the  wilderness  which  was  rough  in  its  course.  So  are  we 
on  the  ocean  by  trying  to  sail  against  the  wind.  We  must  travel 
much  before  we  can  make  scarcely  auy  progress.  But  at  last  there  is 
some  hope  that  we  shall  eome  into  port  with  song. 

August  5th.  The  meditations  of  the  night  troubled  me  as  I 
thought  of  my  weaknesses  and  frequent  lapses  that  the  world  knows 
nothing  of.  But  in  the  midst  of  the  mixture  I  had  the  testimony  that 
God  in  Christ  was  my  only  safe  refuge.  I  renewed  my  covenant  and 
vows  if  I  shall  have  strength  to  serve  my  Lord  and  my  fellow  crea- 
tures, aud   to  act  faithfully  towards  all  men.     I  rose  before  all  the 


14 

family  to  read  and  etudy,  which  I  intend  to  do  throughout  the  voy- 
age, if  I  shall  have  moderate  health.  This  day  dawned  so  calm  that 
we  could  scarcely  know  whether  the  sea  moved.  Too  much  calmness 
is  almost  as  ohstrnctive  to  the  voyage  as  too  much  storm.  Too  much 
ease  in  religion  is  often  more  injurious  than  many  temptations.  ''Count 
it  all  joy  when  ye  fall  into  divers  temptations."  Though  the  chas- 
tisement for  the  present  time  is  not  pleasant,  yer  it  drives  the  soul  to 
the  throne  of  grace  and  worketh  an  eternal  weight  of  glory.  In  the 
evening  a  little  rain  fell,  and  generally  when  rain  conies  we  eret  a 
hreeze  als  >.  When  the  soul  is  full  of  sap  the  entire  person  sails  to 
Immuiuel's  land. 

August  6th.  We  are  yet  within  sight  of  Wales  and  the  Isle  of 
Man.  With  all  my  love  to  my  native  land,  yet  it  is  full  time  for  me 
to  lose  sight  <~>f  it.  80  each  one  who  travels  towards  eternal  happiness 
desires  to  lose  sight  of  the  vanity  of  this  world.  *  *  *  In  the  evening 
we  saw  a  large  number  of  herring;  they  are  consumed  by  the  large  fish 
as  the  common  people  are  destroyed  by  some  of  the  gentlemen.  There 
are  tyrants  in  the  spa  as  well  as  on  land  with  this  difference — that  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  watery  world  will  live  either  free  or  dead  until 
they  are  conquered  and  their  lives  taken  as  a  prey.  I  feel  rather 
weak,  I  must  go  to  bed. 

August  7th.  In  the  morning— the  wind  rather  strong.  At  last 
the  land  of  Wales  is  out  of  sight,  and  Scotland  and  Ireland  appear  in 
its  place.  The  wind  is  rather  against  us — we  must  have  patience.  Be 
it  so,  though  we  have  no  reason  yet  to  complain  ;  yea,  let  it  come  as  it- 
may.  I  hope  that  I 'shall  not  be  left  to  complain,  but  to  bear  all  joy- 
fully that  1  may  meet  with  in  this  frail  life. 

August  8th.  Sailing  between  Ireland  and  Wales.  Oh!  how 
beautiful  thp  vessels  appear  when  the  wind  fills  their  sails!  Oh!  my 
soul,  may  all  thy  powers  be  stirred;  may  they  like  sails  receive  the 
Heavenly  breeze?  and  sail  towards  the  desirable  haven!  I  feel  some 
sorrow  in  my  spirit  for  the  need  of  an  opportunity  to  hold  public  wor- 
ship. Though  true  religion  is  personal  and  eternal,  yet  the  fellowship 
of  the  saints  and  the  right  use  of  all  the  ordinances  of  God's  house 
tend  to  increase  the  grace  and  knowledge  of  the  believer. 

August  9th,  We  are  again  on  the  borders  of  Wales.  Behold 
Holy  Head  and  the  rocks  of  Carnarvonshire  and  the  Island  of 
Bardseyf  Soon  Cardiganshire  and  Pembrokeshire  will  come.  Ohf 
my  friends  in  Wales,  my  spirit  is  with  you.  *  *  *  Some  ought 
to  remember  the  service  rendered  by  the  dissenters  in  this  kingdom, 
but  Israel  is  increasing  notwithstanding  all  their  oppression;  and  if 
so,  let  some  look  at  it! 

August  10th.     Once  again  we  have  lost  sight  of  the  land  of  Wales. 


15 

Back  of  us  St.  David's  could  be  seen  in  the  morning.    We  are  now 
sailing  towards  the  Atlantic. 

August  11th.  Considering  the  season  ot  the  year  the  weather  has 
been  very  cold,  and  the  cold  that  I  have  had  has  made  my  body  and 
spirit  rather  weak;  yet  I  stand  to  read  more  than  I  remember. 

August  13th.  Though  the  wind  , is  with  us,  yet  we  go  on  very 
slowly.     We  sail  about  from  three  to  ten  miles  an  hour. 

August  loth.  The  sea  to-day  is  like  a  boilina:  pot.  I  see  majesty 
in  its  appearance;  it  sets  forth  the  excellency  of  its  Creator.  *  *  * 
Oh!  my  soul,  bless  the  Lord,  whose  way  is  in  the  sea  and  whose 
paths  are  in  deep  waters.  Let  that  suffice  from  his  diary.*  At  last  he 
landed  in  New  York  about  October  12th,  1794.  In  a  sketch  which 
.was  written  by  Dr.  Nicholas  Murray,  his  son-in-law,  it  is  said  that 
he  was  most  kindly  received  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rodders,  then  the  pastor 
of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Philadelphia,  and  Provost  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania.  Between  these  two  there  existed  ever  after  a 
cordial  friendship.  Finding  Civil  Institutions  of  the  country  all  in 
harmony  with  his  political  views,  and  nothing  in  the  way 
of  religious  intolerance  to  fan  his  excitable  feelings,  the 
religious  sentiment  soon  rose  to  the  supremacy  iu  his  heart; 
and  as  if  he  had  never  turned  aside  from  the  ministry  he  again 
preached  the  gospel  with  great  power  and  success.  He  was  followed  by 
admiring  crowds  wherever  he  spoke, and  preached  Christ  with  an  earn- 
estness and  an  unction, but  rarely  witnessed  since  the  days  of  Whitfield. 

He  traveled  extensively  through  the  Southern  Stalest  and 
Northwestern  Territory,  preaching  the  Gospel  of  the  King- 
dom, and  in  search  for  a  suitable  location  for  a  colony 
On  his  return  to  Philadelphia  he  married  the  daughter  of  Col. 
Benjamin  Loxley  of  that  city, who  was  an  officer  of  the  Army  of  the 
Revolution,  and  a  man  of  high  character  and  standing.  After  two  years' 
residence  in  Philadelphia  he,  in  connection  with  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush, 
purchased  a  lartre  tract  of  land  in  Pennsylvania,  which,  in  honor  of  his 
native  country,  lie  called  Cambria.  He  also  located  and  planned  the 
capital  of  the  county,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of  Beulah,  To  this 
place  he  removed  his  own  family,  with  a  company  of  Welsh  emigrants 
in  1798,  which  was  increased  from  year  to  year  by  others  from  the  prin- 
cipality.    Here  he    was    intensely   occupied   ''with    the    duties    which 

■Tin-  above  diary  was  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Murray,  a  daughter  of  Morgan 
John  Rhys.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Phillips,  of  Hereford,  the  agent  of  the  British  Bible  So- 
ciety, called  to  see  her  in  Philadelphia,  I  think-,  some  time  after  I860,  and  when  lie 
saw  the  above  diary  in  the  handwriting  of  her  distinguished  lather  in  Welsh,  he 
borrowed  it  and  took  it  with  him  to  Wales,  and  extracts  of  it  were  published  in 
Seren  Cymru,  (Star  of  Wales)  of  May  17th  and  24th,  and  July  12th,  1867. 
;  See  Appendix. 


II, 

devolved  upon  him  as  a  land  proprietor,  and  as  pastor  of  the  Church  in 
Beuluh."     (SeePeren  Gonier.  January,  1899). 

Re  aarain  removed  from  Beulah  to  Somerset,  the  County  Beat  of 
Somerset  County.  One  writer  says  that  "about  this  time  Thomas 
Mifflin,  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  appointed  M.  J  R.  'a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  Quemahoning  Township,  Somerset  County.'  "  Shortly  after- 
wards the  same  Governor  appointed  him  "an  Associate  Judge  in  and  for 
Somerset  County  during  good  behavior  "  This  commission  is  dated 
February  8,  1799.  He  held  this  office  until  January,  1800,  when  Thomas 
McKean,  having  succeeded  Thomas  Mifflin  in  the  office  of  Governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  about  one  month  after  being  inaugurated  appointed 
Morgan  J.  Rhys  to  tlnj  more  lucrative  situation  of  Prothonotary,  Clerk 
of  the  Quarter  Sessions,  Oyer  and  Terminer,  and  Orphans'  Court  of" 
Willsand  Recorder  of  Deeds  for  Somerset  County."  This  commission 
is  dated  as  above,  viz.,  January  29,  1800,  and  reads  "until  commission  is 
superceded  or  annulled."  (See  Minutes  of  the  Indiana  Baptist  Associa- 
tion. Pa  ,  for  1889). 

Vet  in  the  midst  of  this  honor  and  usefulness,  when  iu  the  prime  of 
his  manhood,  "Ire  died  ot  a  sudden  attack  of  pleurisy,  and  in  the 
triumphs  of  faith,  December  7,  1804.  in  the  44th  year  of  his  age.  Indeed 
his  departure  seemed  rather  a  translation  than  a  death.  "On  the  day  of 
his  death  it  seemed  as  if  the  heavens  had  been  opened  and  he  had  been 
permitted  to  catch  a  glimpse  within  the  vail  'The  music,  my  love,'  he 
said,  'it  is  so  sweet ;  do  you  not  hear  it  ?  When  his  wife  said  'I  clo  not,7 
he  remarked:  'Oh,  listen — now— now— 'the  angels  sing  come  waft  on 
high,  we  wait  to  bear  thy  spirit  to  the  sky.'  "  He  left  a  widow  and  five 
children  to  mourn  his  loss.  His  monument  is  seen  in  the  cemetery  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church,  Philadelphia.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  what 
it  says  concerning  him  : — 

A   TRIBUTE   OF   AFFECTION 

in  Memory  of 

THE  REV.  MORGAN  JOHN  RHYS, 

a  Native  of 

Glamorganshire,  South  Wales, 

Born  December  8th,  1760, 

Who  Died  at  Somerset,  Pennsylvania, 

December  7th,  1804. 


The  Patriot  desisted  from  the  service  of  his  adopted  country, 

The  Christian  ceased  in  this  tabernacle  to  groan, 
The  Preacher  of  Jesus  finished  his  testimony. 


In  1806  his  remains  Were  removed  to  this  family  vault,  from  whence- 
the  Gospel  of  Jesus  insures  a  resurrection. 

"Come  waft  on  high,  the  heavenly  envoys  cry, 
We  wait  to  bear  thy  spirit  to  the  sky. 
*  We  heard  with  transport,  bade  the  World  adieu — 

On  their  bright  pinions  up  to  heaven  he  flew, 
Now  in  the  bosom  of  his  Savior  God 

He  finds  a  calm,  a  joyful,  safe  abode; 
His  precious  dust,  here  mingling  with  the  ground 

Rest  hopeful  till  the  Archangel's  trumpet  sounds, 
Then  fashioned  like  its  Lord,  the  soul  shall  see 

The  mortal  put  on  immortality. 
Adieu,  loved  friend,  soon  shall  our  spirits  meet 
And  cast  their  radiant  crown  at  Jesus'  feet." 
(For  the  above  tribute  see  "The  Literary  Essays"  of  Dr.  Lewis  Ed- 
Wards,  Bala,  Wales,  p585.) 

P.  S. — The  most  of  the  above  sketch  has  been  translated  from  aa  article  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Lewis,  Newport,  Mon., Wales, which  appeared  in  Seren  Gomer  of  April.  L891. 


18 


Mrs.  Ann  Loxley  Rhees. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mrs.  Rhess.  the  wife  of  Morgan  John  Rhees,  was  a  daughter  ot  Col. 
Benjamin  Loxley,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Catherine  Cox,  of  Freehold, 
New  Jersey.  She  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  June  18th,  1775.  Her 
father  was  Captaiu  of  the  First  Artillery  Company  of  Philadelphia, 
in  the  Revolution.  (For  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life,  see  chapter  on  Mr. 
William  J.  Rhees). 

She  became  a  member  of  the  First  Biptist  church  at  the  early  ase 
of  19  years  and  was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  Stephen  Ustick,  who  was 
then  the  pastor  of  the  church.  She  was  united  in  marriage  to  the  Rev. 
Morgan  John  Rhees  at  Philadelphia,  February  22d,  1796.  In  1798  she 
removed  with  her  beloved  husband  to  B^ulah,  and  from  thence  to 
Somerset,  expecting  doubtless  to  spend  many  years  together,  but  thi* 
was  not  to  be,  for  after  having  lived  together  less  than  nine  years,  the 
Lord  took  him  to  Himself,  leaving  her  a  widow  with  five  children  in 
the  prime  of  her  womanhood.  Bat  He  Who  had  promised  to  be  a 
husband  to  the  widow,  and  a  father  to  the  orphan  was  still  with  her. 

Mrs.  Rhees  was  a  woman  of. high  character.  On  her  great  be- 
reavement she  returned  to  her  native  home  where  upon  a  limited 
patrimonial  inheritance  she  educated  her  five  orphan  children,  and 
lived  to  see  them  all  not  only  members  of  the  church  of  Christ,  but 
filling- posts  of  high  honor  and  usefulness.  Every  one  of  her  twenty 
grand-children,  who  lived  to  maturity,  also  became  members  of  the 
church.  She  died  in  the  Lord,  April  11th,  1849,  in  the  74th  year  of 
her  age. 

Her  memory  is  truly  blessed.  In  an  obituary  of  her  it  is  said: 
"Endowed  with  a  mind  of  the  strongest  original  texture  and  polished 
by  education  and  stored  by  reading  and  teflection,  and  by  grace  sub- 
dued to  the  most  humble  obedience  to  the  truth.  She  was  efficient  in 
action,  wise  in  counsel,  strong:  of  faith,  and  untiring  in  doing-  a  spirit 
of  self-sacrifice,  connected  with  the  deepest  humility  were  her  leading 
characteristics.  There  are  but  few.  perhaps  not  one  of  the  charitable 
institutions  of  her  church  or  of  its  domestic  or  foreign  missionary 
fields  which  do  not  contain  in   some  way  or  form  some  record  of  her 


19 

charity  which  never  wearied  in  well-doing.  But  few  have  lived  a  life 
more  consistent  or  lovely;  but  tew  have  died  a  death  more  calm  and 
confiding." 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  by  Dr.  Rush  to'  Mrs.  Rhees  in 
reference  to  the  death  of  her  husband,  and  it  shows  the  writer's  ex- 
quisite sensibility  Jind  sympathy  as  well  as  the  high  appreciation  of 
Mr.  Rhees'  character: 

"My  Dear  Madam — Accept  of  my  sympathy  in  your  affliction. 
While  you  deplore  the  loss  of  an  excellent  husband,  I  lament  the  loss 
•of  a  sincere  and  worthy  friend.  His  memory  will  always 
be  dear  to  me.  Be  assured  of  my  regard  for  you  and  your  little  fam- 
ily. May  a  kind  and  gracious  Providence  support  you,  and  may  you 
yet  have  reason  to  praise  the  orphans'  father  and  the  widow's  God  in 
the  land  of  the  living." 

From  my  dear  Madam. 

Your  sincere  friend, 

BENJAMIN  RUSH. 
Philadelphia,  September  26th,  1805. 

See  Dr.  William  Sprague'e  Annals  of  the  American  Pulpit,  Vol. 
VI,  New  York,  I860— quoted  in  part  by  Rev.  T.  Shankland  Wales,  in 
\Seren  Gomer,  January,  1899. 


■^£^^"^^0^ 


'20 


The  Welsh  Magazine  of  Morgan  John  Rhys. 


CHAPTER  IK. 

In  our  sketch  of  the  life  of  M.  J.  R.,  we  refrerred  to  the  five  is- 
sues of  Ins  magazine  which  he  published  in  1793  and  1794.  The  first 
number  was  published  in  February,  1793.  The  first  two  numbers 
were  printed  at  Trefecca,  which  is  an  important  place  in  the  history 
of  Welsh  Nonconformity.  The  Welsh  Presbyterians  have  a  college 
here  for  the  training  of  ministers.  The  third  number  was  printed  at 
Machynlleth,  which  is  situated  near  the  mouth  of  the  Dyfi,  on  the 
boarders  of  Montgomeryshire  and  Merioneth.  Indeed  we  find  this 
number  was  printed  at  two  places.  The  name  Machynlleth  is  on  the 
title  page,  on  the  back  of  which  is  printed  these  word?:  "We  are 
sorry  to  have  to  complain  that  this  number,  taking  the  work  into  con- 
sideration, is  not  all  as  well  as  we  would  wish'7.  The  reason  is  this: 
It  was  printed  at  two  different  placep,  whether  it  was  printed  at 
Machynlleth  and  Trefecca, or  at  Machynlleth  and  Carmarthen,  where 
the  last  two  numbers  were  printed  we  cannot  tell.  Is  it  possible  that 
it  was  printed  at  Machynlleth,  and  some  fourth  place?  If  so,  and  it  is 
quite  possible,  we  have  five  numbers  printed  at  four  different  places. 
What  would  the  publishers  of  this  age  think  of  having:  to  change 
their  printers  and  places  every  month?  Morgan  John  Rhys  had  to  do 
this.  May  his  name  be  ever  dear  to  his  countrymen,  and  may 
bis  courage  be  theirs.  It  is  not  known  who  printed  for  him  at  Tref- 
ecca, but  Ross  &  Daniels  were  his  printers  at  Carmarthen,  and  one 
Titus  Evans,  a  native  of  South  Wales,  at  Machynlleth.  The  subjects 
treated  of  in  the  magazine  vary  from  an  essay  on  "Nothing,"  to  one  on 
the  "Omnipresence  of  God."  Such  subjects  as  these  are  treated: 
"History  of  Tithes,"  "History  of  Religion  in  North  America,"  "The 
Duty  of  Keeping  the  Sabbath  Day,"  "The  Testimony  of  Josephus 
Concerning  Jesus,"  "The  Value  of  Liberty,"  "Notes  on  the  American 
Indians,"  by  Dr.  Franklin,  and  the  "Execution  of  the  Queen  of 
France."  We  get  some  of  the  poems  and  letters  of  "Goronwy  Owain," 
who  died  in  America.  Dafydd  Ddu  is  represented  by  some  excellent 
poems,  and  we  find  two  or  three  English  poems,  one  of  them  which  is 
"A  Poem  of  Gratulation  on  the  Marriage  of  George  the  Third,"  writ- 


21 

ten  by  a  Welshman  of  the  name  of  Edward  Edwards,  of  All  Souls' 
College.  The  one  object  of  the  magazine  was  Liberty.  It  aimed  at 
severing  the  connection  between  ''Church  and  State.''  In  this  respect 
its  aim  was  higher  than  that  of  the  Welsh  reformers.  What  was  para- 
mount with  them  was  the  reformation  of  the  State  Church,  and  some 
of  them  remained  in  it  until  they  were  liberated  by  death.  The  fact 
that  they  created  a  denomination  without  aiming  at  that  is  a  proof 
of  their  ability  and  courage.  This  state  of  things  was  a  source  of 
trouble  to  Morgan  John  Rhys.  He  could  not  tolerate  a  State  Church, 
but  some  influential  men  amongst  those  who  had  left  it  could 
do  so.  What  they  could  not  do  was  to  tolerate  an  inactive  and  im- 
moral church.  In  proof  of  this  we  may  state  that  the  Welsh  Presbv. 
terians  as  late  as  1834  passed  a  resolution  condemning  the  efforts  of 
those  who  where  aiming  at  disestablishment.  The  resolution  was 
proposed  at  Bala,  and  that  by  the  Rev.  John  Elias.  It  is  only  fair, 
however,  to  state  that  this  denomination  has  done  its  share  for  dis- 
establishment after  this.  Taking  this  fact  into  consideration  as  well 
as  the  tact  that  printing  was  so  expensive  and  that  it  was  so  difficult 
to  distribute  a  magazine  throughout  the  principality,  we  do  not  won- 
der that  only  five  numbers  came  out.  But  the  work  was  not  in  vain. 
It  may  be  rather  difficult  to  point  out  details  to  prove  this,  but  to 
raise  such  a  clear  strong  voice  as  this  in  those  superstitious  and 
cowardly  times  was  in  itself  a  triumph.  True  words  live  longer  than 
kind  words  very  often.  No,  John  Rhys  was  not  a  failure  no  more 
than  John  the  Baptist.  He  had  a  mission,  he  delivered  it,  he  es- 
caped prison,  and  execution,  and  died  in  a  free  country.  His 
example  stimulates  young  Wales  at  the  present  time.  What  he 
fought  for  is  close  at  hand,  and  he  will  become  more  popular  than  he 
has  been.  This  magazine  was  woith  its  weight  in  gold,  but  was  sold 
for  six  pence  a  copy.  *We  will  now  make  a  tew  extracts  from  this 
magaziue. 


*See  "Essays  in  Welsh  Literature,"  by  Rev.  T.  1).  Williams. 


The  History  of  Religion  as  to  its  Deterioration. 


The  first  preachers  of  the  gospel  foresaw  its  deterioration.  "Now 
the  spirit  speaketh  expressly  that  in  the  latter  times  some  shall  depart 
from  the  faith,  giving  heed  toseducing  spirits  and  doctrines  of  devils" 
(1  Timothy  iv  1).  ''That  the  man  of  sin  shall  be  revealed  the  son 
of  perdition''  (2  Thes.  II  3)  Paul  describes  the  apostacy  of  the  church 
as  though  he  could  see  it  before  his  eyes,  and  it  was  not  long  before 
anti-Christ  appeared  to  others  in  its  cunning  and  oppressive  spirit. 
When  the  mixing  of  vain  philosophy  with  the  simple  doctrines  of  the 
gosoel  dissentions  and  disputes  respecting:  all  the  doctrines  of  re- 
ligion were  beguu  in  a  cunning;  and  cruel  manner,  and  their  purpose 
in  each  contention  was  to  overthrow  each  other,  new  materials,  like 
bones  of  contention,  were  constantly  raised,  and  inconsistent  exposi- 
tions adopted  and  defended  in  an  obstinate  spirit.  Each  contention 
would  cause  some  different  conclusion,  aud  every  conclusion  would 
produce  some  new  objection  and  kiudle  a  more  cruel  dispute— and  all 
for  supremacy.  Who  would  establish  the  faith  of  Christians?  By 
trying  to  trace  things  that  were  above  the  reach  of  man,  and  by  sett- 
ing questions  that  are  too  simple  for  us  to  notice  them,  new  confes- 
sions were  constantly  increasing,  and  new  distinctive  words  were 
coined  and  consecrated.  The  heads  of  doctrines  and  articles  unrea- 
sonably multiplying,  and  in  order  to  support  their  false  doctrines,  all 
the  inconsistencies  and  scholarly  false  reasonings  were  used,  and  di- 
vine authority  was  ascribed  more  and  more  to  the  writings  of  men. 
As  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  were  forced  from  their  primitiye  sim- 
plicity, they  became  unfit  to  touch  the  heart  and  to  effect  the  con- 
duct. Instead  of  being  an  incentive  to  holiness,  they  opened  the  way 
to  all  kinds  of  defilements  and  misery.  The  commandments  of  the 
gospel  also,  which  as  to  their  clearness  and  simplicity,  bear  with  them 
authority,  were  obscured  in  such  a  manner  as  to  confuse  the  mind 
rather  than  to  arouse  the  conscience.  Briefly,  the  rules  of  the  gospel 
were  gradually  laid  aside,  and  indulgence,  penance,  pardons,  celi- 
bacy, pilgrimages  to  Rome,  sheltering  in  monasteries,  and  a  hundred 
other  things  too  numerous  to  mention  were  appointed  instead  of  the 
law  of  Christ.    Also  the  Christian  worship  did  not  escape  from   th© 


23 

plague.  It  was  soon  disfigured  with  Jewish  ceremonies  and  Pagan 
rites  and  others  which  the  church  constantly  appointed  at  her  pleas- 
ure. Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  were  administered  with  such  dis- 
play and  vain-pomp,  that  it  was  supposed  that  they  were  some  awful 
mysteries.  New  virtues  were  ascrihed  to  them  and  great  authority 
used  in  consecrating  them.  The  corruption  of  the  latter  ended  m  the 
monster  tiausubstantiation,  and  in  relation  to  the  first  it  is  scarcely 
credible  to  many  how  much  unreasonable  virtue  is  ascribed  to  it.  It, 
they  said,  made  men  children  of  God,  regenerated  them  and  washed 
away  their  sins,  and  whoever  died  without  it  (as  the  teachers  said  in 
those  dark  times)  would  certainly  be  lost.  Alas!  How  much  folly  came 
into  the  world  with  superstition?  It  is  fearful  to  think  that  any  are  so 
foolish  as  to  suppose  that'there  is  virtue  in  ordinances  to  take  men  to 
Heaven  whether  they  be  old  or  young.  It  would  be  too  long  to  name  all 
the  rites  that  were  gradually  brought  in.  From  glorying  in  the  cross  r>f 
Christ,  they  went  to  make  use  of  the  sign  of  the  cross  as  a  charm  on  almost 
every  occasion:  from  praying  for  the  dead  they  went  to  pray  to  the  dead; 
from  recalling  to  mind  the  martyrs,  they  went  to  worship  them;  from 
honoring  their  relics,  they  imputed  to  them  the  power  to  work  miracles; 
from  permitting  pictures  and  images  in  their  churches,  they  bowed  down 
to  them;  fasts,  holidays  and  feasts  without  number  were  constantly  ap- 
pointed by  them,  and  short  and  simple  prayers  were  extended  to  such  a 
long  and  mixed  form  as  to  poison  the  worship  with  theii  insipious  tradi- 
tions. Not  less  dreadful  was  the  corruption  of  the  true  spirit  of  Christi- 
anity. Though  the  Apostles  were  under  Divine  inspiration,  they  did  not 
rule  the  faith  of  any  (2  Cor  ,  I  24),  but  they  bore  with  the  infirmities  of 
the  weak  in  those  things  that  were  not  hurtful  to  the  essence  of  their 
religion  ( Rrom.  XV,  i),  &c,  and  their  anathemas  they  kept  for  evil 
things.  Rut,  alas  !  how  soon  their  followers  forgot  the  words  of  Christ? 
"The  Kings  of  the  Gentiles  exercise  lordship  over  them  ;  let  it  not  be  so 
among  you"  ( Luke  22,  25,  26,  Welsh  version).  But  the  Christians  of  the 
following  ages  changed  the  text  thus:  '-Let  it  be  so  among  you;*'  at 
least  thus  it  was  ;  their  creed  and  uncertain  opinions  and  far-fetched 
inferences  from  the  Scriptures,  and  all  the  sacred  words  which  they  had 
coined  to  set  forth  their  view,  must  be  received  ;  otherwise  they  would 
excommunicate  a  man  to  a  place  worse  than  purgatory  ;  and  all  this  for 
a  difference  in  words,  when  they  would  suffer  all  kinds  of  immorality! 
without  even  a  threat  of  the  lightest  punishment.  The  work  of  the 
leaders  of  the  church,  as  soon  as  the  Emperors  put  the  power  in  their 
hands, Was  to  grasp  for  wealth,  honor  and  the  authority  of  citizenship- 
Also, priestly  orders  were  greatly  multiplied, bishops  aspirins;  high:  arch- 
bishops and  patriarchs  exalting  themselves  above  them  ;  they  not  only 
grasped  for  every  bishopric  by  the  most  unbecomimg  presumption,  but 


24 

every  scheme  was  used  to  purchase  it,  one  bishopric  contending  for 
supremacy  in  order  to  have  control  of  men's  consciences.  This  evil  in- 
creased in  all  the  churches  so  that  they  knew  not  for  a  long  time  where 
to  establish  the  infallible  chair,  till  at  last  the  bishop  of  Rome  by  his 
cunningness  succeeded  in  having  the  supremacy  over  them  all — so  that 
the  Kings  of  the  Earth  bowed  at  his  beckoning,  making  him  the  vicar 
of  Christ,  a  God  on  the  earth,  and  independent  in  authority,  which  he 
really  used  by  oppressing  all  as  far  as  he  could.  He  confirmed  all  the 
old  corruptions,  and  constantly  added  to  the  deterioration  till  the  world 
was  filled  with  all  kinds  of  fraud  and  idolatry-  At  Rome  anti-Christ  is 
of  age,  the  chief  Lord  with  its  triple  crown  on  its  head.  But  as  the  lord- 
ing the  conscience  is  anti  Christ  in  all  places,  the  same  kind  of  an 
oppressor  is  anti  Christ  also  in  the  most  abject  house  of  worship  as  a 
poor  infant  on  the  breast,  for  the  conscience  is  God's  throne,  and  who- 
ever seeks  to  usurp  this  throne  is  anti-Christ.  We  have  already  noticed 
the  deterioration  of  the  Christian  religion  under  three  heads,  viz,  the 
doctrine,  the  worship  and  the  spirit  of  Christianity.  Whoever  desires 
to  know  anti-Christ,  here  is  the  mark  of  ignorance  in  the  doctrine,  super- 
stition in  the  worship,  and  a  persecuting  spirit.  Bomanists  say  that 
ignorance  is  the  mother  of  godliness,  but  God  says,  "My  people  are  de- 
stroyed for  lack  of  knowledge."     Hosea  4,  6. 

According  to  this,  ignorance  is  the  mother  of  destruction.  Let  the 
professors  of  Christianity  notice  the  name  which  shall  be  in  the  forehead 
of  the  woman — Bev.  XVII,  5 — it  is  put  in  large  letters,  so  that  all  can 
read  it.  Mystery,  &c.  Much  is  said  by  men  generally  of  this  mystery,, 
and  th:  t  mystery  in  religion.  But  there  was  no  mystery  in  the  religion 
of  Moses.  "Those  things  which  are  revealed  belong  to  us  and  to  our 
children"  (I)eut.  29,  29).  And  surely  there  is  no  mystery  in  the  re- 
ligion of  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  the  Light  of  the  World,  and  His  doctrine 
shines  as  the  sun  in  its  own  simplicity.  It  is  supposed  from  this  that  al] 
who  bear  some  awful  mysteries  in  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  belong  to 
Babylon — and  have  the  mark  of  anti  Christ.  No  one  doubts  the  exist- 
ence of  mystery  in  God,  but  it  is  to  him  it  belongs,  and  ther^  are  also 
mysteries  that  are  incomprehensible  in  every  creature,  but  they  are  not 
a  part  of  religion.  There  may  be  many  things  that  are  difficult  to  un- 
derstand in  religion,  and  yet  not  mysterious.  As  the  disciple  iucreases  in 
his  knowledge  of  the  attributes  of  God,  he  becomes  better  acquainted 
with  the  things  of  God,  but  as  to  the  mysteries  which  God  has  kept  to 
himself,  the  weakest  babe  in  religion  knows  as  much  as  the  oldest 
disciple — hence  we  think  that  it  is  a  great  deterioration  in  religion  for 
any  to  undertake  to  describe  the  Only  Wise  God  in  any  form  of  being 
that  He  has  not  revealed  Himself,  and  to  presume  to  »ay  how  God  acted 
n  eternity  before  the  worlds  were,  and  how  He  will  act  again  millions  of 


ages  hence.  We  might  think  as  we  hear  some  preach  that  their  entire 
religion  was  before  the  Book  of  Genesis  and  after  the  Book  of  Revelation, 
and  oh!  how  the  common  people  are  amazed  when  they  hear  such 
mysteries  !  !  O,  such  wisdom  ! !  when  possibly  it  is  all  darkness  !  !  This 
reminds  me  of  a  conversation  between  two  hearers  respecting  two 
sermons.    "Which  was  the  greatest  preacher  according  to  your  opinion?" 

said  one.     "Mr. ,"  said  the  other.     "I  am  not  of  the  same  opinion 

as  you,"  said  the  first;  "How  do  you  think  that  he  was  a  greater 
preacher?"  "O,"  said  he,  "I  understood  every  word  that  your  preacher 
said,  but  as  for  the  other,  I  did  not  understand  anything  he  said;  he 
must  be  a  great  preacher."  There  are  reasons  for  fearing  that  this 
brother  has  too  many  brethren  who  live  on  sound,  without  understand- 
ing anything  ;  who  weep  and  rejoice  when  they  hear  the  word,  but  after 
they  have  gone  away  from  its  sound  nothing  remains.  But  we  will 
hasten  to  set  before  the  reader  the  worst  form  of  all  in  the  deterioration 
of  religion  ;  viz,  the  mode  of  supporting  it,  etc.  Here  he  discusses  the 
tithe  or  compulsory  mode  in  contradiction  to  the  voluntary  mode  of  the 
Apostolic  Church. 

THREE  THINGS  THAT  GOD  KEPT  TO  HIMSELF. 

When  the  Jesuits  were  urging  Stephen,  the  King  of  Poland,  to 
persecute  the  Protestants,  he  said:  "That  he  durst  not;  that  there 
were  three  things  that  God  had  kept  to  Himself — creative  power, 
knowledge  of  things  to  come,  and  authority  over  the  conscience. 
Hence,  he  could  not  but  give  equal  liberty  to  all  his  subjects."  Many 
more  extracts  might  be  made,*  but  the  above  are  sufficient  to  show 
the  chief  aim  of  the  magazine. 


*See  "Literary  Essays"'  (in  Welsh),  by  Rev.  L.  Edwards,  ]).  J)..  Bala,  Wales. 


26 


The  Substance  of  His  Two  Last  Sermons 
in  Wales,  Etc. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  substance  of  two  sermons  on  the  setting  apart  of  John  Ed- 
wards and  Thomas  Jones  to  the  eldership  office,  and  Edward  Hughes 
and  John  Roberts  to  the  deaconship  office,  in  the  meeting  house  of 
the  people,  called  Baptists  in  Glynceiriog,  July  2d,  1794. 

The  first  sermon  on  the  duties  of  church  officers,  and  the  second 
on  the  duties  of  the  people  toward  their  officers,  printed  by  Joseph 
Tye  Wrexham,  1794,  price,  3  d.     Text,  Gal.  5,  13. 

The  sermons  were  printed  and  published  at  the  request  of  the 
church  at  Glynceiriog.  He  wrote  a  letter  to  the  said  church,  signed 
'•M.  J.  R„"  also  published. 

He  also  wrote  an  address  to  his  friends,  his  children  and  brethren 
through  all  Wales.    My  translation  of  which  I  here  give: 

Beloved— It  may  be  that  this  is  the  last  time  for  me  to  address 
you.  It  is  my  purpose,  if  the  .Lord  will,  to  sail  over  the  ocean  soon. 
I  cannot  forget  the  land  of  my  nativity,  nor  its  inhabitants.  lam 
willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  to  serve  them,  and  if  I  shall  have  life 
and  health  and  the  way  open  before  me,  I  propose  to  return  and  bid 
well  to  my  brethren,  and  more  joy  than  this  I  have  not — to  hear  that 
my  children  search  continually  for  the  truth  and  remain  steadfast  in 
it.     M.J.  R. 

At  the  end  of  the  pages  of  the  sermons  are  variety  of  notes,  many 
of  which  are  in  English  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  young  persons 
who  might  read  tnem  and  who  are  ignorant  of  the  English  to  acquaint 
themselves  in  that  language. 

Both  the  sermons  and  the  notes  prove  that  the  author  was  a  man 
of  extensive  reading  and  knowledge,  and  well  versed  in  the  holy 
scriptures. 

He  published  and  sent  forth  a  solemn  address  to  the  Welsh,  call- 
ing upon  and  encouraging  them  to  establish  Welsh  schools,  to  teach 
poor  children  to  read  th^ir  bibles,  etc. 

The  address  is  well  written  and  very  pathetic,  giving  an  account 
too  of  what  a  vast  amount  of  good  has  been    done  in  that  way  by  Mis. 


Bevan,  of  Langhorne,  Dr.  Stonehouse  and  Thomas  Jones,  Esq. 
It  was  by  their  efforts  297,121  were  taught  to  read  their  bibles  daring 
the  short  time  of  thirty-nine  years. 

Besides  he  published  a  pamphlet  on  the  "Plan  of  Supporting  Re- 
ligion in  the  United  States  of  America,"  together  with  a  brief  de- 
scription of  Kentucky,  and  sufficient  reasons  to  justify  such  as  to  go 
from  this  country  to  America,  and  a  counsel  to  the  Welsh,  by  Mor- 
gan ab  Joan  Rhees.  This  must  have  been  a  very  interesting  pamphlet 
especially  at  that  time.  I  recollect  having  heard  by  an  aged  minister, 
who  knew  him,  of  his  preaching  from  Psalms  66,  12,  "Man  hast  caused 
men  to  rise  over  our  heads;  we  went  through  fire  and  through  water, 
but  Thou  broughtest  us  out  into  a  wealthy  place." 

In  that  sermon  lie  used  rather  strong  expressions  to  those  times, 
such  as  "The  king  rides  upon  our  heads;"  "The  royal  family  ride 
upon  our  heads1' ;  "The  Arch-Bishops  ride  upon  our  heads;"  "The 
Bishops  and  the  church  ecclesiastics  ride  upon  our  heads;"  "The 
Peer  of  the  realm  and  the  proprietors  ot  the  land  ride  upon  our  heads, 
etc.,"  but  Thou  broughtest  us  out  into  a  wealthy  (Welsh,  wanting 
nothing)  place.  I  will  soon  be  in  America.  He  was  obliged  to  escape 
then,  being  in  danger  of  being  apprehended. 

The  above  from  a  letter  from  William  Morgan,  Holyhead,  July 
:25th,  I860." 


■'I  received  the  above  from  Mr.  William  J.  Rhees,  Washington,  D.  C.      J.  T.  G. 


THE  ALTAR  OK  PEACE 

Being1  the  Substance  of  a  Discourse 

Delivered  in  the 

COUNCIL  HOUSE,  AT  GREENVILLE,  JULY  5th,  1795, 

Before  the  Officers  of  the 

AMERICAN  ARMY  and  MAJOR  GENERAL  WAYNE 

Commander-in-Chief  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary 

From  the  United  Htates 

TO  TREAT  WITH  THE  INDIAN  TRIBES 

North-West  of  the  Ohio. 


BY  MORGAN  JOHN  RHYS, 

To  which  is  prefixed 

AN  ADDRESS  OF  THE  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 

With  their  Constitution 
"I  Will  Give  the  Heathen  for  Thine  Inheritance." 


PHILADELPHIA. 

Printed  by  Ephraim  Conrad. 

Price,  12i  cents. 

The  profits  arising  from  the  sale  to  be  applied 

to  the  funds  of  the  society. 

1798. 


30 


The  Altar  of  Peace. 


CHAPTER  V. 
To  the  Citizens  of  the  United  States: — 

The  Missionary  Society  of  Philadelphia,  impressed  with  the 
importance  of  ameliorating  the  condition  and  augumentiug 
the  happiness  of  mankind,  are  impelled  by  motives  of  re- 
ligion and  benevolence  to  attempt  the  propagation  of  Christian  and 
civil  knowledge  among  the  aborigines  of  America.  Those  who  have 
experienced  the  blessed  effects  of  real  religion  must  feel  a  desire  to 
disseminate  its  principles  wherever  the  footsteps  of  a  feliowman  may 
be  found.  An  opportunity  offers  for  such  to  evince  their  sincerity 
by  laboring  together  in  accomplishing  the  ancient  prediction.  "The 
knowledge  of  the  Lord  shall  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  do  the  sea." 

Living  in  an  age  when  the  devastations  or  war  teach  us  to  appre- 
ciate and  extend  the  blessings  of  peace,  all  good  and  enlightened  citi- 
zens will  concur  with  us  that  every  step  which  tends  to  introduce  the 
arts  of  civilization  among  the  Indians  must  be  highly  favorable  to  the 
interest  of  the  United  Stales.  The  easy  access  which  may  be  had  a  t  pres- 
ent to  the  different  tribes  by  means  of  government  establishments  in 
various  parts  of  their  territory,  and  their  tranquil  state  and  the  friendly 
disposition  of  some  of  their  chiefs  dispose  the  society  to  believe  that 
their  address  is  not  premature.  They  presume  that  nothing  more  is 
necessary  to  excite  the  attention  and  secure  the  support  of  their  fellow- 
citizens  than  to  present  their  plan  to  the  consideration  of  the  public. 
The  subscribers  penetrated  with  the  conviction  that  their  duty  and 
happiness  are  involved  in  promoting  the  knowledge,  and  in  diffusing 
the  spirit  of  the  Christian  religion,  do  associate  for  the  purpose  of  sup- 
porting a  missionary  among  the  American  heathen  and  the  frontier 
settlements  of  the  United  States,  as  an  eligible  mean  of  accomplish- 
ing so  desirable  an  object.  Aware  of  the  pernicious  effects  of  party 
spirit,  they  think  it  necessary  to  adopt  for  their  guide  (as  well  as  to 
exhibit  to  the  world,  the  principles  by  which  they  will  be  governed) 
the  following  constitution: 

I.    The  association  shall  be  called  Missionary  Society. 


31 

II.  Any  person  signing;  the  constitution  and  paying  the  sum  of 
one  dollar  to  the  treasurer,  and  the  further  sum  of  one  dollar  yearly 
is  :i  member  during  the  payment  of  his  or  her  subscription. 

III.  The  Society  shall  elect  by  ballot  an  acting  committee  to  con- 
sist of  a  treasurer,  secretary  and  seven  members,  one-third  of  whom 
shall  be  renewed  every  six  mouths — five  shall  form  a  quorum  to 
transact  business  and  have  power  to  call  special  meetings. 

IV.  The  society  shall  meet  every  three  months  at  an  appointed 
place  to  enact  the  necessary  laws,  and  deliberate  on  the  reports  of  the 
committee  respecting  the  state  and  progress  of  the  institution. 

V.  No  missionary  shall  be  considered  qualified  who  is  not  cap- 
able of  practicing  or  teaching  some  useful  art  as  well  as  a  rational  sys- 
tem of  religion.  No  other  test  shall  be  required  excepting  evidences 
of  piety  aud  zeal;  that  he  renounces  all  sectarian  names  and  adopt 
simply  tha  t  of  Christian. 

VI.  Should  the  funds  of  the  Society  permit,  institutions  of  in- 
structing the  Indians  in  the  agricultural  and  mechanical  arts  shall  be 
established  among  them. 

VII.  As  soon  as  a  sufficient  number  have  subscribed,  the  com - 
mittee  shall  publish  under  their  inspection  a  periodical  miscellany 
entitled,  "Missionary,"*  and  the  profits  arising  from  the  sale  shall  be 
applied  to  the  funds  of  the  Society. 

No  alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  made  without  the  consent 
o!  two-thirds  of  the  members,  and  every  such  improvement  must  be 
proposed  three  months  prior  to  its  discussion.  The  constitution  is  left 
for  signature  at  177  S.  Second  street  (Philadelphia).    February  2d,  1798. 

-The  above  periodical  was  to  consist  of  forty  eight  pages — large  octavo,  and  to  be 
published  at  30  cents  a  number  or  $3  a  year.  The  subscribers  were  to  send  their 
names  to  William  Griffiths,  Bookseller,  177  South  Second  street,  Philadelphia. 
(See  "Altar  of  Peace."  last  page).  Does  anyone  know  whether  any  issues  of  the 
above  periodical  were  published?    .].  T.  G. 


32 


A  Sormon. 


"Then  Gideon  built  an  altar  thereunto  the  Lord  and  called  it 
><2/?       Jehovah  Sallum  ;  i.  e.,  the  Lord  give  Peace."     Judges  VI,  24 

A  noble  example  for  all  generals  and  commanders  of  armies!  Gideon, 
when  going  out  to  war,  erected  an  altar  to  the  God  of  Peace.  His  object 
was  not  devastation  and  plunder,  but  to  defend  the  lives,  liberty  and 
property  of  his  brethren.  When  these  objects  were  obtained,  the  sword 
was  sheathed  and  he  returned  to  his  occupation,  crowned  with  honor. 
Gideon,  as  a  worshiper  of  God,  is  worthy  of  imitation  by  all  men,  if 
there  be  a  first  cause,  a  disposer  of  events,  a  distributor  of  rewards  and 
punishments — he  is  certainly  an  object  of  adoration.  Some  have  sup- 
posed man  to  be  a  religious  animal,  that  it  is  religion  and  not  reason 
which  distinguishes  him  from  the  beast;  but  without  the  exercise  of 
reason,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  how  we  are  to  prove  the  existence  of  the 
Almighty.  It  is  true  in  most  countries,  savage  as  well  as  civilized,  we 
meet  with  the  temple  and  the  priest,  the  altar  and  the  offering,  the  my- 
thology of  the  heathen,  the  mosques  of  Mahomet,  the  superstitions  of 
popery,  the  circumscribed  ceremonies  of  the  Jews—all  have  a  tendency 
to  prove  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as  real  religion.  Let  us  search  for  it, 
not  by  rejecting  wholly  everything  that  bears  the  appearance  of  religion, 
but  by  acting  the  part  of  the  bee,  extract  the  honey  from  every  flower. 

Although  the  Western  World  be  a  wilderness,  we  meet  here  with 
abundance  of  flowers  which  would  adorn  the  most  beautiful  garden  in 
Europe.  Shall  we  reject  those  valuable  productions  of  the  earrh  because 
they  grow  in  an  uncultivated  soil  ?  Surely  not.  Shall  we  then  reject 
the  noble  precepts  of  Christ,  and  despise  His  institutions,  because  they 
have  been  obscured  by  the  weeds  of  popery  and  Mahometanism?  God 
forbid!  Rather  let  us  cut  down  the  groves  of  Baal  and  despise  his 
worship.  Let  us  reject  every  hypothesis  that  will  not  bear  the  test  of 
examination;  let  us  believe  nothing  but  what  is  supported  by  evidence, 
and  may  be  proved  by  reason  that  religion  is  certainly  rational,  which 
represents  the  Supreme  Being  in  the  most  amiable  manner,  rewards 
virtue,  punishes  vice,  publishes  peace  to  the  penitent,  unites  man  to 
man  and  all  good  men  to  God.  Such  is  the  Christian  religion  in  its 
primitive  simplicity.  Although  its  advocates  are  engaged  in  the  most 
important  war,  a  war  with  ignorance  and  vice,  yet,  after  the  example  of 
Gideon,  they  coutinually  pray  for  peace.     The  Commander-in-Chief  has 


33 

ordered  them  to  publish  peace  in  every  house  they  enter — peace  to  the 
Indians,  to  Europe,  Asia,  Africa  and  America  Their  commission  is  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  to  proclaim  glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  on  earth  peace,  good  will  towards  men  However,  if  we  wish 
to  enjoy  a  permanent  peace  in  the  world,  the  private  circle  or  the  con- 
science, the  Bible  declares  we  must  cease  to  do  evil  and  learn  to  do  good. 
The  rule  is  short,  and  the  commandments  are  easy.  All  the  precepts  of 
Jehovah  center  in  one  syllable -Love  The  laws  and  the  prophets,  like 
the  rays  of  the  sun  collected  to  a  focus,  here  shine  and  burn.  The  man 
who  loves  God  as  the  supreme  good,  and  his  neighbor  as  himself,  sur- 
mounts every  obstruction  with  ease,  because  he  is  borne  above  earth  on 
the  wings  of  love;  the  philanthropist  is  every  person's  neighbor,  the 
White,  the  Black  and  the  Red  are  alike  to  him:  he  recognizes  in  each  a 
brother,  a  child  of  the  same  common  parent,  an  heir  of  immortality,  and 
a  fellow  traveler  to  eternity.  He  knows  how  to  make  allowance  for  the 
prejudices  of  nations  and  individuals;  instead  of  declaiming  and  tyraniz 
ing,  he  endeavors  to  lead  (with  the  cords  of  love  and  the  bands  of  men) 
all  his  fellowmen  to  think,  and  judare  for  themselves,  what  is  right. 
Having  done  this,  the  foundation  is  laid  for  a  glorious  fabric!  the  man 
who  dares  to  think  seriously  for  himself  brings  a  complete  sacrifice  to  the 
altar  of  peace;  his  ear  receives  instructions,  the  memory  receives  in- 
formation, the  judgment  discerns  between  truth  and  error,  his  eye  or 
principle  is  fixed  on  the  glory  of  God  and  the  public  good,  and  his  feet 
or  affections  persevere  in  the  path  which  leads  to  immortal  blessedness. 
Brethren,  where  we  have  fallen  short  in  any  duty,  especially  that  of 
gratitude,  let  us  move  on  with  a  firm  and  steady  step  in  the  great  work 
of  reiormation,  and  as  we  are  surrounded  by  temptations,  let  us  combat 
the  powers  of  darkness  and  the  enemy  will  flee  before  us;  with  the 
weapons  of  eternal  truth  let  us  fight  the  foe,  and  our  rallying  point  shall 
be  the  Altar  of  Peace.  Permit  me  to  descend  to  particulars,  and  apply 
the  subject  to  the  pending  treaty,  the  Lord  give  Peace.  But,  sirs!  in 
order  to  establish  a  durable  peace  some  sacrifices  must  be  made  on  both 
sides.  The  love  of  conquest  and  enlargement  of  territory  should  b«> 
sacrificed— every  nation  or  tribe  having  an  indefeasible  right  of  soil,  as 
well  as  a  right  to  govern  themselves  in  what  manner  they  think  proper, 
for  which  reason  the  United  States  purchase  the  right  of  soil  from  the 
Indians.  Self  interest  and  avarice,  being  the  root  of  all  evil,  ought  to  be 
sacrificed  as  a  burnt  offering,  for  the  good  of  mankind.  The  desire  of 
revenge  should  be  immediately  uffered  on  the  altar  of  forgiveness,  al- 
though thy  brother  trangress  against  thee  seventy  times  seven  in  a  day. 
Dissimulation  and  intrigue,  with  every  species  of  deceptive  speculation 
raid  fraudulent  practice,  ought  to  be  sacrificed  on  the  altars  of  strict 
honor  and  inflexible  justice.     In  short,  as  the  Altar  of  Peace  is  our  text, 


u 

the  sermon  on  our  future  conduct  should  be,  "Do  Justice  and  Love 
Mercy."  Tell  the  Indians  they  must  "go  and  do  likewise;"  inform 
them  that  righteousness  is  the  parent  of  peace,  foreign  and  domestic; 
that  without  it  there  can  be  no  tranquility  in  the  nation,  the  neighbor- 
bond,  or  in  the  bosom  of  the  individual.  Endeavor,  therefore,  by  all 
possible  means  to  instill  a  just  knowledge  of  this  principle  into  their 
minds,  for  it  must  precede  universal  peace.  Why  did  the  prophet  say, 
"They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy?"  Because,  first,  "the  knowledge  of 
(rod  shall  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 

If  we  were  to  form  any  idea  of  the  signs  of  the  times,  the  day  of 
universal  knowledge,  peace  and  happiness  cannot  be  at  any  great 
distance  It  will  advance  upon  us  like  the  rising  sun,  whose  light 
irresistibly  spreads  far  and  wide.  But  do  not  imagine  that  we  are  to  he 
idle  spectators.  God  carries  on  his  work  by  means,  ami  employs  rational 
instruments,  and  as  we  are  at  present  in  an  Indian  country,  we  should 
devise  and  adopt  the  most  likely  measures  to  civilize  the  savage  tribes. 
We  have  an  opportunity  of  knowing  something  of  their  disposition.  If 
peace  can  be  amicably  concluded,  much  may  be  done,  but  we  are  not  to 
forget  the  natural  grades  from  a  savage  state  to  that  of  civilization.  I 
am  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  rational  preachers  ought  to  be  employed 
to  remove  their  ancient  superstition,  give  them  just  notions  of  the  Great 
Spirit,  and  teach  them  rules  of  moral  rectitude  I  am  aware  that  some- 
thing more  is  wanted.  Unless  husbandry  and  the  mechanical  arts  be 
introduced  with  those  missionaries,  they  will  never  be  able  to  prevail  on 
them  to  quit  their  ancient  customs  and  manners.  Government 
should  therefore  interfere  and  assist.  That  good  may  be  done  by  in- 
dividuals none  can  deny— the  Moravian  Indians  are  a  convincing  proof 
of  it.  Still,  their  laudable  efforts  will  be  ineffectual  to  bring  over  the 
great  body  of  the  people  without  further  aid,  and  a  general  intercourse 
between  them  and  virtuous  men. 

'  lis  to  be  lamented  that  the  frontiers  of  America  have  been  peopled 
iu  many  places  by  men  of  bad  morals.  I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  throw 
a  disagreeable  reflection  upon  all  the  frontier  inhabitants,  for  I  know 
there  are  many  virtuous  characters  among  them,  but  certain  it  is  that 
there  are  a  great  number  of  white,  as  well  as  red  savages  It  will  there- 
fore be  necessary  to  have  such  communications  with  the  different  tribes 
as  to  convince  them  of  the  good  will  of  the  Americans  in  general.  If  at 
the  conclusion  of  this  treaty  some  interchanges  of  persons  could  take 
place  between  the  United  States  and  the  different  tribes,  so  that  some 
Americans  might  have  their  residence  in  the  Indian  towns,  and  the 
Indians  in  like  manner,  reside  in  some  of  the  principal  towns  on  the 
frontiers,  it  might  be  the  means  of  terminating  all  future  differences 
without  war;  of  cultivating  harmony  and  friendship  among  the   tribes; 


35 

of  bringing  offenders  on  both  sides  to  justice,  and  causing  treaties  to  be 
respected  throughout  the  different  nations.  If  such  a  system  could  be 
introduced  cultivation  and  instruction  would  naturally  follow  and  the 
Americans  and  Indians  would  become  one  people,  and  have  but  one 
interest  at  heart— the  good  of  the  whole  That  such  a  tiling  should  take 
place  is  certainly  desirable.  Let  us,  therefore,  in  the  first  place,  follow 
the  example  of  Gideon  by  erecting  an  altar,  and  offer  the  necessary 
sacrifices  to  obtain  peace;  let  us  by  acts  of  righteousness  and  deeds  of 
mercy  make  that  peace  permanent;  let  every  probable  means  be  made 
use  of  to  enlighten  the  poor  heathens,  that  they  may  quit  their  childish 
and  cruel  customs,  and  add  to  their  love  of  liberty  and  hospitality,  piety, 
industry,  mechanical  and  literary  acquirements;  let  us  join  them  in 
prayer  that  the  "Great  Spirit"  may  enlighten  their  eyes  and  purify 
their  hearts,  give  them  a  clear  sky  and  smooth  water,  guard  them 
against  the  bad  birds,  and  remove  the  briars  from  their  paths;  protect 
them  from  the  dogs  of  war,  which  are  ever  exciting  them  to  acts  of 
barbarous  cruelty,  that  they  may  never  attend  to  their  barking,  but 
continue  to  keep  the  bloodj7  hatchet  in  the  ground  and  smoke  the 
calumet  of  peace  until  its  odors  perfume  the  air." 

Sweet  Peace!  source  of  joy,  parent  of  plenty,  promoter  of  commerce 
and  manufactures,  nurse  of  arts  and  agriculture,  angelic  Peace!  Gould 
I  but  set  forth  thy  amiable  qualities,  who  would  but  love  thee?  O, 
daughter  of  Heaven,  first  offspring  of  the  God  of  Love,  hasten  to  make 
thy  residence  with  us  on  earth! 

P.  S. — The  above  has  been  copied  from  the  original  pamphlet,  which 
is  in  the  Bucknell  Library  of  Grozer  Theological  Seminary,  Chester,  Pa. 


36 


A  Sermon  by  the  Celebrated  Morgan  John  Rhees. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Men  and  Brethren:- 

Another  year  having:  been  numbered  among  those  which  cannot 
be  recalled,  and  many  of  our  friends  and  acquaintance  in  the  same 
year,  having  gone  that  journey — "From  whose  bourne  no  traveller 
returns,"  a  variety  of  useful  reflections  might  be  made  on  the  oc- 
casion. Indeed  it  is  not  probable  that  all  of  us  who  are  now  present 
shall  see  a  similar  anniversary.  Like  leaves  in  Autum,  we  wither 
and  drop  from  the  tree  of  life.  "To  the  house  appointed  for  all  living'' 
we  are  borne  on  the  wings  of  time.  Let  us  then  be  admonished  to 
think  of  our  latter  end.  "To  number  our  days  and  apply  our  hearts  to 
the  attainment  of  wisdom."  To  devote  the  short  period  we  may  have  to 
live  to  the  service  of  our  God,  our  country  and  the  whole  human  fam- 
ily. We  have  now  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  publia  worship. 
Every  worship  presupposes  a  belief  in  the  existence,  the  excellency 
and  perfection  of  tlie  adored  object.  "He  that  cometh  to  God  must 
not  only  believe  that  he  is,  but  that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  those  who 
spek  him."  "The  fool  hast  said  in  his  heart,  there  is  no  God."  "The 
fool  also  maketh  a  m"ck  of  sin."  Shall  we,  because  fools  say  there  is 
no  God  and  make  a  mock  of  sin,  reject  the  convictions  of  our  own 
consciences?  We  should  however  observe  that  it  was  in  his  "his 
heart"  the  fool  said  "no  God."  To  speak  this  openly  and  publish  it  to 
the  world  might  not  suit  his  interest  or  it  might  require  more  in- 
genuity, and  better  information  to  defend  a  system  so  absurd  in  its 
principles  and  destructive  in  its  tendency.  The  theory  and  practice 
of  men  are  often  at  variance.  Some  theoretic  atheists  may  live  what 
is  termed  a  moral  life,  but  practical  atheists  (who  are  by  no  means 
few  in  number)  declare  in  their  hearts,  that  is  by  their  actions  that 
they  at  least  wish  there  was  no  God.  Theoretic  atheism  has  compar- 
atively but  few  advocates.  It  verily  requires  a  high  degree  of  refine- 
ment in  lalse  philosophy  to  banish  altogether  fro\n  the  mind  a  belief 
in  the  existence  of  a  "First  Cause."  (a).  It  is  a  belief  which  is  com- 
mon to  all  nations — savages  as  well  as  civilized.  Man  as  it  were  by 
instinct,  or  rather  a  divine  principle  implanted  in   his  mind  breathes 


37 

after  immorality,  and  at  every  occurence  of  distress  or  of  danger  cries 
out:  "Oh,  my  God!"  This  he  has  done  in  every  age,  and  in  every 
clime  when  or  whenever  man  has  departed  from  the  worship  of  the 
"One  true  and  Living  God."  It  is  because  his  faculties  have  been  de- 
ranged by  corruption;  it  is  because  he  has  ceased  to  exist  after  the 
image  of  bis  Creator  that  he  has  made  to  himself  gods  after  his  o-vn 
image.  The  more  degraded  man  became  in  his  character; 
his  gods  became  proportiouably  abominable.  Still  he  retained 
a  belief  in  some  diviuity.  Consequently  the  impressions  of  a 
"first  cause"  were  not  altogether  effaced  from  bis  mind- 
This  indeed  would  be  a  difficult  task  while  the  book  of  nature  con- 
tinued open  before  him;  while  all  things  visible  declare  a  com- 
mencement and  origin ;  while  the  wonderful  machinery  of  the  uni. 
verse  continue  to  take  their  perpetual  rounds  without  disorder  or  con- 
fusion; while  no  new  order  of  animals  or  beings  make  their  appear- 
ance among  us — "Nature  in  all  places  of  her  dominion"  will  cry 
aloud — "A  God!  A  God!"  has  created,  preserves  and  governs  the 
universe.  Yes,  the  truth  is  engraved  in  characters  so  legible  in  the 
Heavens  above,  the  earth  beneath,  the  waters  under — every  animate 
and  inanimate  substance,  but  especially  on  the  faculties  of  the  human 
soul — "that  he  who  runs  may  read."  It  is  true,  that  many,  too  many 
instead  of  embracing  truth  as  we  find  it  on  the  surface  of  all  created 
objects,  as  its  links  are  connected  in  the  great  chain  of  harmonies 
and  consonances  through  the  wide  and  extensive  field  of  nature,  be- 
wilder their  brains,  puzzle  and  obscure  their  faculties  with  the  etern- 
ity of  matter,  the  doctrines  of  chance,  and  the  fortuity  of  atoms!  By  en- 
deavoring to  solve  every  mystery  to  the  standard  of  their  own  depraved 
reason,  and  to  admit  of  nothing  as  true  but  what  can  be  explained 
with  mathematical  precision,  they  attempt  to  dethrone  God  and  es- 
tablish their  own  almighty  reason  in  his  seat.  "Professing  themselves 
to  be  wise  they  have  become  fools."  "For  the  invisible  things  of 
God  from  the  creation  of  the  world  are  clearly  seen  being  understood 
by'the  things  that  are  made— even  His  eternal  power  and  Godhead." 
Having  said  thus  much  of  the  existence  of  Jehovah,  it  may  not  be 
amiss  to  observe  as  a  farther  preliminary  towards  the  elucidation  of 
our  subject;  that  the  history  of  all  nations  represent  mankind  as  cor- 
rupt and  depraved  creatures  that  from  whatever  sources  this  evil  had 
its  origin.  Its  existence  cannot  be  denied — that  different  nations  at- 
tribute the  calamity  to  different  causes;  that  the  Hebrews  are  the 
only  people  who  have  given  us  a  clear  and  distinct  view  of  the  sub- 
ject, and  that  it  appears  from  the  fitness  of  things  far  more  improbable 
that  the  Almighty  should  have  created  man  and  then  leave  him  to 
himself  without  any  rule  for  his  conduct  than  that- he  should  give 
him  a  decree  and  a  test  of  his  obedience. 


38 

In  a  book  emphatically  styled  the  Scriptures  we  find  the  apos- 
tacy  of  man  fully  explained,  the  consequence  of  his  tall  awfully  pro- 
nounced, and  his  recovery  from  that  state  wonderfully  exhibited.  Of 
the  authenticity  of  the  Scriptures  or  writings,  the  evidence,  external 
and  internal  which  accompany  them,  are  the  best  testimony  of  their 
being  a  revelation  from  God.  One  thing  is  certain,  that  without  such 
a  record,  mankind  would  have  forever  groped  in  the  dark,  respecting 
the  knowledge  of  their  origin  and  destiny.  Besides  the  exDerience  of  all 
ages  lias  fully  evinced  the  necessity  of  some  Superior  Instructor  to 
the  weak  and  uncertain  light  of  reason,  (b).  It  was  worthy  of  ''The 
Father  of  Light  from  Whom  prooeedeth  every  good  and  perfect"  gift 
to  give  such  an  Instructor.  "God,  Who  at  sundry  times  and  in  divers 
manners,  spake  in  timee  unto  our  fathers  by  the  prophets''  and  other 
me  his  suitable  to  His  dignity  "Has  spoken  unto  us  by  His  Son."  We 
proceed  then  to  prove  that  the  Christ  spoken  of  in  our  text  is  "The 
Son  of  the  Living  God."  That  such  an  extraordinary  person  as 
Christ  was  born  at  Bethlehem  lived  and  preached  among  the  Jews 
and  was  crucified  at  Jerusalem.  Several  Pagan  write»s  as  well  as  the 
Disciples  testify  that  a  great  light  or  a  new  star  appeared  in  the  East 
which  directed  the  wise  men  to  the  place  of  His  birth  is  recorded  by 
Chalcidius;  that  Herod  the  Kind  of  Palestine  made  a  great  slaughter 
of  innocent  children  among  others  than  his  own  sons  is  mentioned 
by  Macrobius,  as  a  known  fact  and  that  the  Roman  Emperor  on  hear- 
ing this  news,  should  have  said,  "He  had  rather  be  one  of  Herod's 
hogs  than  his  son;"  that  Jesus  had  been  taken  by  His  parents  to 
Egypt  is  acknowledged  by  Celsus,  who  said  that  He  had  learned  the 
arts  of  magic  in  that  country;  that  He  was  condemned  and  crucified 
under  a  Pontius  Pilate  is  recorded  by  Tacitus,  and  that  Pilate  himself 
communicated  a  history  of  the  event  to  Tiberius  appears  evident  from 
the  references  made  to  it  by  the  early  writers;  that  there  was  a  mira- 
culous darkness  and  a  great  earthquake  at  the  time  of  our  Saviour's 
death  is  attested  by  Phlegon.  But  what  need  we  dwell  on  a  point 
not  much  disputed.  Those  who  believe  there  were  such  persons  as 
Augustus  and  Tiberius  Csesar,  must  by  the  same  kind  of  testimouy 
believe  there  was  such  a  person  as  Jesu9  Christ.  The  burden  of  the 
proof  before  us  is  to  show  that  Christ  was  the  Son  of  God  in  a  unique 
or  more  excellent  manner  than  any  other  person  ever  could,  or  can 
be;  that  He  was  the  Messiah — "The  only  Begotten  of  the  Father,  full 
of  Grace  and  Truth."  This  we  will  endeavor  to  prove  by  the  miracles 
which  Christ  wrought  by  the  coincidence  of  the  predictions  related 
in  Ancient  Scriptures  with  His  life,  sufferings,  death  aud  resurrection. 
By  the  accomplishments  of  predictions  which  He  delivered,  the  doc- 
trines and  precepts  which  He  taught  and  the  success  which  attended 


39 

the  first  preaching  of  his  gospel.  That  miracles  were  wrought  by  Christ 
is  admitted  by  many  of  his  adversaries.  Celsus,  Julian  the  Apostate 
and  Porphyry  (who  were  among  the  principal  opposers  of  Christian- 
ity) had  no  other  refuse  when  contending  with  Christians  hut  to  at- 
tribute them  to  the  art  of  magic.  The  inveterate  and  malicious  Jews 
in  a  similar  manner  to  Beelzebub,  the  prince  of  devil — so  far  both 
parties  agree  that  miracles  were  wrought.  Tbe  tacts  indeed  were  too 
stubborn  to  be  denied.  Everything'  whs  done  openly  before  the  eyes 
of  the  public  where  every  person  had  an  opportunity  of  investigating 
and  examining  into  the  merits  of  the  case.  Deception,  the  most  re- 
fined, could  never  have  assimilated  itself  with  such  things. 
Thousands  fed  with  a  few  loaves;  the  blind  receiving  their 
sight;  'the  deaf  having  their  hearing  restored  by  a  word; 
the  lame  leaping  like  a  hart;  the  dead  brought  to  life  and  even 
quitting  their  graves  were  miracles  not  to  be  conjured  by 
Magi  nor  the  prowell  of  Lis  infernal  majesty.  In  every  instance 
where  miracles  have  been  pretended  by  magicians  or  others  inde- 
pendent of  the  delusions  attending  them  their  powers  have  been  lim- 
ited and  have  fallen  shore  of  "the  finger  of  God."  In  Egypt,  the 
Magi  in  some  instances  imitated  the  miracles  of  Moses.  In  others 
thev  could  not,  declaring  that  "the  finger  of  God  was  there"  *  *  * 
that  these  miracles  of  Christ  were  of  God  is  evident  from  their  nature, 
kind  and  tendency.  They  were  all  worthy  of  a  benovelent  Being 
and  manifested  His  power.  The  sick,  afflicted  and  distressed  were  the 
principal  objects  of  them,  and  if  the  dead  were  to  be  raised  it  was  partly 
to  soothe  and  allay  the  grief  of  the  living.  Altogether  dissimilar  to 
pretended  miracles  and  legerdemain  tricks;  they  were  both  useful  and 
permanent  in  their  effect.  Several  of  the  subjects  of  them  outlined 
the  person  who  performed  them. 

If  any  adverse  power  could  have  performed  similar  miracles,  no 
doubt  it  would  have  been  done  to  discredit  Christianity.  The  disciples 
of  the  devil  were  not  equal  to  the  task.  The  evil  spirits  fled  from  the 
presence  of  Jesus,  confessing  Him  to  be  "the  Christ  of  God."  Independ- 
ent of  revelation  the  probability  is  strong  that  wicked  and  malignant 
spirits  have  an  existence  in  our  world,  and  that  they  have  more  influence 
in  the  affairs  of  men  than  many  are  willing  to  admit.  So  far  as  the 
consent  of  all  nations  and  ages  go  to  prove  anything,  it  is  in  favor  of 
this  belief.  But  as  without  microscopes  we  should  never  have  discovered 
numerous  tribes  of  insects,  which  inhabit  our  earth,  so  without  tha 
light  of  revelation  we  cannot  ascertain  what  spirits  are  and  act  in  the 
region  of  our  air.  The  Scriptures  assure  us  that  angels,  both  good  and 
bad,  are  conversant  in  this  world,  and  that  more  of  them  should  make 
their  appearance  in  the  days  of  our  Saviour  than  at  any    other  period   is 


40 

not  at  all  surprising.  One  object  of  His  mission  appears  to  be  to  Dfifold 
the  mysteries  of  the  invisible  world,  so  far  as  they  were  connected  with 
the  interest  of  mankind.  To  demonstrate  the  power  of  God,  in  His  own 
person;  by  making  it  manifest  to  all,  even  the  weakest  capicity ;  that 
though  there  existed  a  powerful  and  wicked  spirit,  that  He  was  never- 
theless under  the  control  and  government  of  the  Almighty;  that 
although  He  might  inflict  diseases,  and  otherwise  distress  the  human 
family,  He  was  still  subject  to  the  will  of  Heaven— and  even  under  the 
imperious  necessity  of  fleeing  from  the  faithful  followers  of  Christ,  when- 
ever they  resisted  His  temptations,  the  miracles  performed  upon  the 
demoniacs  may  then  be  defended,  though  no  such  possessions  are  now 
observed  among  mankinds d)  Our  argument,  however,  rests  on  miraclen 
in  general,  and  though  this  point  is  warmly  disputed  as  being  contrary 
to  the  order  of  nature— the  laws  of  matter  and  motion— we  trust  that 
every  candid  mind  will  acknowledge  that  the  author  of  nature  may 
govern  and  direct  the  machine,  He  formed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  Him 
appears  best  adapted  to  the  good  of  His  creatures.  The  laws  of  gravity 
are  often  suspended  by  the  influence  of  magnetism  and  electricity  and 
why  may  the  Creator  and  preserver  of  all  things  not  suspend,  change  or 
infringe  upon  the  common  order  of  things  whenever  He  thinks  it  proper 
to  produce  extraordinary  effects  evidently  tending  to  His  own  honor  and 
the  good  of  His  offspring?  It  does  not  follow  because  a  thing  has 
happened  ten  thousand  times  or  even  a  million  of  times  that  it  never 
has  failed,  nor  even  can  fail.  Those  who  declare  that  they  have  met 
with  contrary  appearances  in  certain  cases,  testify  what  they  have  seen 
and  why  may  their  evidence  not  be  true.  Magnetism  and  electricity 
were  once  as  incredible  to  the  multitude  as  the  Gospel  miracles,  yet  the 
award  of  a  sufficient  number  of  credible  witnesses  have  established  those 
facts,  however  contrary  to  received  notions.  There  are  phenomenas  in 
nature  not  yet  accounted  for  and  notwithstanding  the  great  advances 
made  in  natural  knowledge, we  are  not  certain  that  they  are  all  reducible 
to  the  laws  of  matter  and  motion.  The  only  safe  rule  in  such  cases  is  to 
abide  by  the  award  of  credible  testimonies,  however  contrary  to  received 
notions  and  analogies.  If  that  course  of  nature  or  series  of  events  which 
follow  each  other  in  the  order  of  cause  and  effect  we  are  ignorant  of  what 
may  be  the  divine  purposes  and  appointments  of  secret  causes,  and  the 
corresponding  variety  of  events,  that  we  can  only  appeal  to  the  tacts,  to 
credible  relations  of  what  actually  has  been,  in  order  to  know  the  course 
of  nature.  The  Scripture  miracles  may  not  be  contrary  to  its  fixed 
principles  and  immutability.  Since  the  course  of  nature  understood  in 
a  popular  sense,  falls  so  short  of  the  true  course  of  nature  as  here  defined, 
i.  e.,  as  admitting  the  instrumentality  of  beings  superior  to  us — men 
divinely  inspired,  good  angels,  evil  spirits  and  many  other  influences,  of 


41 

which  our  present  philosophy  can  take  no  cognizance  with  respect  to 
moral  analogy  Though  the  case  is  somewhat  different,  it  is  sufficient 
to  say  that  God  is  infinite;  that  natural  and  revealed  religion  are  in  all 
principal  things  most  wonderfully  analagous,  and  that  as  far  as  moral 
analogy  carries  weight  with  it,  there  is  positive  evidence  for  the  8cripture 
miracles  In  common  affairs  a  great  number  of  credible  evidence 
amounts  to  an  absolute  certainty,  and  what  evidence  for  common  fact5* 
have  ever  exceeded  those  for  the  Scripture  miracles?  If  we  place  this 
subject  upon  another  footing,  i.  e.,  the  order  of  nature  as  it  respects  the 
human  mind,  we  shall  discover  "that  a  man's  thoughts,  words  and 
actions  are  all  generated  by  something  previous."  There  is  an  established 
course  for  these  things,  an  analogy  of  which  every  man  is  a  judge,  from 
what  he  feels  in  himself  and  sees  in  others;  and  to  suppose  any  numbc 
of  men,  in  determinate  circumstances,  to  vary  from  this  general  tenor  of 
human  nature  in  like  circumstances,  is  a  miracle  and  may  lie  made  a 
miracle  of  any  magnitude,  i.  e.,  incredible  to  any  degree,  by  increasing 
the  number  and  magnitude  of  the  deviations.  It  is  therefore  a  miracle 
in  the  human  mind  as  great  as  any  can  be  conceived  in  the  human  body 
to  suppose  that  infinite  multitudes  of  Christians,  Jews  and  heathen  in 
the  primitive  times,  should  have  borne  such  unquestionable  testimony 
to  the  miracles  said  to  be  performed  by  Christ  and  His  Apostles  upon  the 
human  body,  unless  they  were  really  performed.  In  like  manner,  the 
reception  which  the  miracles  recorded  in  the  Old  Testament  met  with, 
is  a  miracle  unless  those  miracles  were  true.  The  very  existence  of  the 
works  of  the  Old  and  the  New  Testaments  of  the  Jewish  and  Christian 
religions,  &c,  &c,  are  miracles  unless  we  allow  the  Scripture  miracles. 
Here,  then,  a  man  must  either  deny  an  analogy  and  association  and  be- 
come an  absolute  sceptic,  or  acknowledge  that  very  strong  analogies  may 
sometimes  he  violated,  i.  e.,  be  must  have  recourse  to  something  miracu- 
lous, to  something  supernatural,  according  to  his  narrow  views 

The  next  question  then  will  be,  which  of  the  two  opposite  miracles 
will  agree  best  with  all  his  other  notions;  whether  it  be  more  analgous 
to  the  nature  of  God,  Providence,  the  allowed  history  of  the  world,  the 
known  progress  of  man  in  this  life,  &c,  &c,  to  suppose  that  God  imparted 
to  certain  select  persons  of  eminent  piety  the  power  of  working  miracles; 
or  to  suppose  that  he  confounded  the  understandings,  affections  and 
whole  train  of  associations,  of  entire  nations,  so  as  that  men  who  in  all 
other  things  seem  to  have  been  conducted  like  other  men,  should  in  re" 
spect  of  the  history  of  Christ,  the  Prophets  and  Apostles,  act  in  a  maimer 
repugnant  to  all  our  ideas  and  experiences.  Now,  as  this  last  supposition 
cannot  be  maintained  at  all  upon  the  footing  of  Deism,  so  it  would  be 
hut  just  as  probable  as  the  first,  even  though  the  objector  should  deny 
the  possibility  of  the  being  of  a  God."     For  the  least  presumption   that 


42 

there  may  be  a  being  of  immense  or  infinite  power,  knowledge  and 
goodness,  immediately  turns  the  scale  in  favor  of  the  first  supposition."' 
''If  any  one  should  affirm  or  think,  as  some  persons  seem  to  do,  that  a 
miracle  is  impossible,  let  him  consider  that  this  is  denying  God's  omni- 
potence, and  even  maintaining  that  man  is  the  supreme  agent  in  the 
universe"  We  might  farther  observe  ;  if  enough  had  not  been  said  al- 
ready) that  most  of  the  Scripture  miracles,  though  nearly  related,  are 
independent  of  each  other — that  anyone  of  them  being  proved  true 
diminishes  the  objections  to  others— that  the  credulity  which  has  been 
too  common  in  false  miracles  cannot  be  accounted  for  unless  many  true 
ones  had  been  wrought;  that  the  accomplishment  of  prophecy  by  im- 
plying a  miracle,  provided  events  which  have  already  happened  can  be 
proved  to  have  been  foretold  in  Scripture  in  a  manner  exceeding  chance, 
and  human  foresight,  must  remove  the  objections  to  miracles. 

We  proofed  then  to  prove  from  ancient  predictions,  "That  Jesus 
is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Living  G>>d,"  and  as  the  source  from 
whence  the  testimony  is  taken  is  disputed  by  some  to  begenuine.  We 
shall  occasionally  defend  the  original  as  well  hs  the  application,  that 
Moses  wrote  the  Pentateuch,  or  five  fold  volume.  We  have  the  same 
evidence  as  that  Homer  wrote  the  Iliad,  i.  e.,  The  Consent  of  the  Learned 
in  all  A«es.  Pinto,  Polesnus,  Artapanus,  Pythagoras,  Theopompus 
4>^C^  and  Disdoius  Siculus  place  him  in  the  front  of  six  of  the  most  ancient 
^JS .  lawgivers;  thus — Moses,  Lanchius,  Sesonchosis,  Barhot'is  Amasis  and 
Darius,  father  of  Xerxes.  Tho'  there  are  no  people  at  present 
living  after  the  laws  of  Lycurgus  and  Solon,  we  have  no  just  reason  to 
disbelieve  that  those  founders  of  the  Lacedemonian  and  Athenian  gov- 
ernments did  not  write  such  laws,  for  every  nation  is  supposed  to  be  a 
faithful  depository  of  its  own  rule  of  conduct.  What  reason  then  can 
be  urged  against  tlie  authenticity  of  the  Books  of  Moses  when  an  en- 
tire nation  even  to  this  day  receive  them  as  genuine?  The  history  of 
the  creation,  deluge,  etc  ,  might  have  been  brought  down  by  four  per- 
sons to  the  days  of  Moses.  Methusaleh  lived  with  Adam  243  years; 
Shem,  the  son  of  Noah,  with  Methusaleh  about  97  years;  Jacob,  with 
Shem,  50  years;  Joseph  lived  71  years  after  his  father  and  brethren 
came  to  Egypt,  so  that  Amram.  the  father  of  Moses,  might  not  only 
see  Joseph,  but  Moses  might  have  conversed  with  his  grandfather, 
Koath,  who  had  seen  Jacob.  Is  it  possible  then  that  the  Book  of 
Genesis  could  have  been  forged  and  imposed  upon  a  people  who  from 
their  own  Knowledge  of  facts  might  nave  immediately  detected  the 
imposture?  When  in  consequence  of  iniquity  the  aare  of  man  was 
shortened  it  became  necessary  in  order  to  preserve  the  knowledge 
and  worship  of  the  one  true  God  to  have  a  written  law.  That  such  a 
law  was  given  to  Hebrews  is  evident  from  its  reception  by  that  people 


43 

'ever  since  tli eir  Exodus  out  of  Egypt.  Their  judges,  prophpt?,  his- 
torians and  reformers  have  had  constant  reference  to  it  in  all  their 
writings  unless  the  Divine  authority  of  those  laws  had  heen  estab- 
lished beyond  the  possibility  of  doubt.  Is  it  probable  that  any  people 
should  have  submitted  to  such  heavy  burdens  as  they  enjoined?  In 
point  of  human  policy  some  of  the  laws  were  apparently  absurd. 
Such  whs  the  law  which  ordained  that  all  the  males  should  appear 
three  times  a  year  in  one  place  to  worship  on  their  solemn  festivities, 
thus  leaving  a  defenceless  nation  of  women  and  children  to  shift  for 
themselves  against  surrounding  enemies.  Such,  however,  is  the  fact, 
and  such  were  the  effects  of  this  law  that  while  the  Jews  obeyed  it 
an  enemy  never  invaded  their  coasts.  Such,  also,  are  the  lacts  re 
specting  their  seventh  year  in  which  they  were  neither  to  plow,  sow 
or  reap — that  they  lacked  nothing.  The  books  annexed  to  the  law  of 
Moses  tho'  not  delivered  in  so  awful  and  sublime  a  manner  have  had 
a  similar  reception  as  it  respects  their  authenticity.  Joshua  most 
probably  wrote  the  last  chapter  of  Deuteronium,  and  Phineas  the  Jast 
verses  of  the  book  under  his  name.  The  Judges  and  Ruth  were  writ- 
ten as  it  is  supposed  by  Samuel,  and  the  First  and  Second  Samuel  by 
himself,  by  Nathan  and  by  Gad.  These  contain  the  history  of  the 
Jews  from  the  year  of  the  world,  2888  to  the  year,  2987.  The  Books  of 
Kings  written  by  several  of  the  Prophets,  who  were  generally  the 
Jewish  historiographers,  extend  from  2989  to  3442.  The  Books  of 
Chronicles  recapitulate  the  history  from  the  beginning  of  the  world 
to  the  year  3468.  Ezra  wrote  his  history,  etc.,  from  3468  to  3538.  Ne' 
hemiah  continued  it  from  3550  to  3563  David,  whose  hymns  were 
sung  by  the  people  as  a  part  of  their  divine  service,  begcin  to  reign  in 
the  year  3306.  Hosea,  Micah  and  Nahum  were  co-temporaries 
with  him.  Jeremiah  began  lis  Prophecy  in  3375,  and  lived  at  the 
same  time  with  Zephaniah.  Daniel  was  carried  into  Babvlon  in  3401, 
and  prophesied  until  3470.  Ezekiel  prophesied  at  Babylon  in  3590- 
Malachi  seems  to  have  lived  until  the  year,  3589,  and  Simon,  the  just, 
who  died  about  thirty-one  years  after  Alexander  the  Great,  perfected 
and  finally  settled  tne  canon  of  the  Jewish  Scriptures.  In  the  year, 
3727,  the  Scriptures  were  translated  into  the  Greek  language  for  the 
use  of  the  Hellenist  or  Greek  Jews,  whom  Alexander  had  planted 
in  Egypt,  This  translation  contributed  much  to  the  spread  of  re- 
ligious knowledge  in  the  Western  parts  of  the  world.  For  the  Jews, 
their  synagogues  and  worship,  were,  after  Alexander's  death,  dis. 
persed  almost  everywhere  among  the  nations.  Ptolemy,  320  years  be- 
fore Christ,  carried  one  hundred  thousand  Jews  into  Egypt  and 
planted  a  great  number  besides  in  Cyrenalybian. 


44 

Seleucus,  anotlier  of  Alexander's  succession,  300  years  B.  C,  trans- 
planted an  immense  number  of  therm  through  Cilicia,  Lesser  and 
Greater  Asia.  Everywhere  they  carried  the  Scriptures  with  them., 
and  in  a  short  time  the  Greek  version  was  commonly  and  publicly 
used.  This  fact  alone  is  sufficient  to  prove  that  it  was  impossible  for 
the  Old  Testament  to  have  been  forged  after  the  birth  of  Christ.  It  is 
evident  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament  were  in  existence.  What 
remains  for  us  is  ro  examine  their  contents  and  inquire  into  the  char- 
acter of  their  authors,  that  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  events  should 
communicate  His  will  to  certain  of  His  creatures  more  than  to  others 
may  appear  strange  to  some.  "A  revelation  made  toothers,  say  they, 
are  not  a  revelation  to  us."  "Nor  are  we  obliged  to  give  credit  to  any 
such  revelation,  although  it  may  be  attended  with  such  circumstances 
and  testimouy  as  would  amply  establish  the  truth  of  any  other  fact." 
The  book  of  nature,  we  admit,  is  a  revelation  to  all  who  will  open 
their  eyes  to  read  it.  But,  surely,  there  is  nothing  incredible  in  the 
doctrine,  that  the  omniscient  God  should  select  His  peculiar  servants 
and  manifest  to  them  what  should  afterwards  take  place.  If  it  should 
appear  that  the  predictions  of  ancient  prophets  have  b?en  really  ac- 
complished, this  will  be  something  like  proof  that  the  thing  was  re- 
vealed to  them  from  Heayeti.  For  it  is  evident  that  man  of  himsel1" 
cannot  fortell  future  events — he  may  calculate  effects  from  a  cause 
already  existing.  Having  established  primiples  for  his  rules  he  may 
deduce  consequences  without  foreign  aid — the  prudent  will  not  pre- 
sume to  go  farther.  As  to  the  prescience  of  the  devil — we  know  little 
or  nothing  about  it.  He  may  teach  his  servants  like  the  celebrated 
oracles  of  the  heathen,  to  give  evasive  answers  so  that  whatever  the 
event  might  be,  the  exposition  might  be  made  favorable  to  the  oracle. 
No  so  the  prophecies  of  Scri2>ture.  They  have  explicitly  foretold  cer- 
tain events,  which  would  befall  individuals  and  nations,  and  that  by 
a  minuteness  of  detail,  which,  had  not  the  events  happened  exactly, 
exactly  as  described,  nothing  but  contempt  could  have  pursued  the 
authors.  No  other  way  has  been  attempted  to  evade  the  accuracy  of 
some  of  their  predictions,  but  by  asserting  that  their  writings  were 
composed  after  the  events  had  taken  place.  This  objection  we  have 
a  heady  obviated  bv  the  chronology  of  their  lives.  Besides,  it  is  un- 
fortunate for  the  objector  that  many  of  the  predictions  were  fulfilled 
in  the  lifetime  of  the  predictor,  and  those  who  were  not,  have  been  so 
faithfully  preserved  on  record  that  the  hands  of  tyrants  and  of  time 
have  not  been  able  to  destroy  them. 

The  Jewish  oracles  or  predictions  might  be  divided  into  four 
classes:  to  the  fortelling  of  events  nigh  at  hand,  to  others  more  re- 
mote, to  such  as  had  respect  to  the  whole  Hebrew  nations,  and  to  such 


45 

as  regarded  only  foreign  nations.  Of  the  former  kind  we  have  a  great 
number  of  instances — such  as  the  advancement  of  Joshua,  the  con- 
quest of  Palestine,  the  victory  of  Barak,  the  advancement  and  rejec- 
tion of  Saul,  the  elevation  of  David,  the  revolt  of  Absalom,  the  ad- 
vancement of  Jeroboam  and  the  separation  of  the  ten  tribes,  the  ex- 
emplary punishment  of  Ahab  and  Jezebel,  the  miseries  and  death  of 
Jeboiakim,  etc.,  etc.  Of  those  more  remote  we  have  the  predictions 
of  Moses,  respecting  the  several  captivities  of  the  Israelites  as  well  as 
their  present  scattered  and  exile  state.  The  punishment  inflicted  on 
the  rebuilder  of  Jerico  foretold  by  Joshua  570  years  before  it  took 
place;  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  Nebuchadnezzar  foretold  by 
several  of  the  prophets;  Isaiah's  prediction  of  Cyrus  by  name,  as  a 
resorer  of  liberty  to  the  Jews;  of  the  manner  Antiochus  Epiphanes 
would  treat  the  Hebrews  and  how  he  should  be  punished  for«his  cruel- 
ties, and  a  variety  of  others. 

Those  which  respect  the  Jews  as  a  nation  are  everywhere  to  be 
found  in  their  writings  from  the  pilgrimage  of  their  Patriarchs  to  the 
last  of  their  Kings,  and  their  existence  as  a  body  politic,  and  as  of 
necessity,  they  had  connections  with  othei  nations.  Their  prophets 
have  foretold,  as  if  they  had  lived  on  the  spot,  the  fate  of  other  em- 
pires— such  as  the  ruin  of  Egypt  and  Tyre,  under  Nebuchadnezzar; 
also  of  the  Mobites,  under  the  same  king,  after  they  had  subsisted  as 
a  nation  almost  fourteen  years;  the  destruction  of  Niniveh  and  its 
empire,  of  Babylon  under  Cyrus,  of  the  Persian  Empire  by  Alexan- 
der; of  the  manner  the  prince  conquered  a  great  part  of  the  world, 
and  of  the  division  of  his  empire  into  four  kingdoms,  etc.,  etc.  Many 
reflection  might  be  made  on  the  above  predictions,  as  corroborative 
evidence  in  favor  of  what  we  are  more  especially  to  prove,  i.  e.,  that 
the  prophecies  of  the  Old  Testament  evince  that  Jesus  is  "The  Christ, 
the  Son  of  the  Living  God." 

We  shall,  however,waive  this  argument  and  proceed  to  quote  such 
passages  as  in  our  opinion  are  applicable  to  Christ,  and  to  Him  only. 
By  the  oracle  or  voice  of  God  in  Eden,  Christ  is  stjded,  "The  Seed  of 
the  Woman,  Who  Should  Bruise  the  Serpent's  Head."  This  declara- 
tion of  the  Almighty,at  the  same  time  it  displayed  His  sovereignty  aud 
goodness,  laid  the  foundation  of  a  new  religion,  suitable  to  the  fallen 
condition  of  man.  The  conduct  and  expectations  of  Patriarchs  and 
Prophets  fully  evinces  that  this  was  the  ground  work  of  their  hope. 
They  all  expected  a  Messiah  who  should  bruise  the  old  serpent's  head 
and  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil.  Believing  in  Him  who  was  to 
come  though  yet  "invisible."  "They  saluted  the  promise  and  en- 
tered into  rest."  However,  obscure  the  promise  might  be  to  our  first 
parents,  they  certainly  considered  it  of  greater  import,  than   that  one 


46 

of  their  offspring  should  knock  a  make  on  tbe  bead,  and  that,  at  the 
expense  of  being-  himself— bit  on  tbe  heel. 

Tbe  promise  to  Abraham  is  more  explicit.  "In  thy  seed  shall  the 
nations  of  tbe  earth  be  blessed,"  It  does  not  speak  of  seeds  aw 
many,  but  is  confined  to  one,  namely — "Christ;"  tor  who  besides 
Him  has  united  in  one  church — the  whole  family  of  believers  from 
every  nation  under  Heaven.  "The  sceptre,'1  said  Jacob,  ''Shall  not 
depart  from  Jndah,  nor  a  lawgiver  from  between  bis  feet,  until  Shiloh 
come,  and  to  him  shall  the  gathering  of  the  people  be."  This  proph- 
ecy evinces  three  things:  1.  That  the  sceptre  was  to  be  established 
in  the  tribe  of  Judah,  before  the  Shiloh  should  make  his  appearance. 
2.  That  the  sceptre  was  to  give  way  to  an  inferior  digtiity  which  the 
Patriarch  sets  forth  by  the  word  "lawgiver"  which  was  the  case  after 
the  overthrow  of  the  Jewish  Monarchs.  3.  There  was  a  necessity 
that  this  last  dignity  should  also  come  to  an  end.  which  did  not  take 
place  till  theadvancement  of  Herod  the  Great  to  the  throne  of  j'udea. 

The  general  tax  in  the  days  of  Augustus,  when  Joseph  and  Mary 
went  to  their  own  village,  Bethlehem,  to  be  registered,is  a  convincing 
proof  of  tie  sovereignty  of  the  Romans  at  that  time.  This  is  con- 
firmed by  several  Roman  historians  as  Tacitus,  Suetonius  and  Dion, 
that  the  Messiah  should  be  born  at  Bethlehem,  of  the  family  of  David 
is  expressly  foretold.  "But  thou  Bethlehem  Ephratah,  though  thou 
be  little  amonsr  the  thousands  of  Israel,  yet  out  of  thee  shall  he  come 
forth  unto  me,  that  is  to  be  ruler  in  Israel,  whose  goin<rs  forth 
have  been  from  of  old  from  the  days  of  eternity."  "There  I  will  make 
the  horn  of  David  to  bud.  I  have  ordained  a  lamp  for  mine  anointed. 
His  enemies  I  will  clothe  with  shame,  but  upon  himself  shall  his 
crown  flourish."  "And  there  shall  come  forth  a  rod  out  of  the  stem 
of  Jesse,  and  a  branch  shall  grow  out  of  his  roots  and  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  shall  rest  upon  him."  This  stem  ot  Jesse  is  also  styled  "the 
root  of  Jesse/'  "the  root  and  offspring  of  D^.vid  who  should  stand  for 
an  ensign  of  the  people  to  whom  the  gentiles  should  seek  and  whose 
rest  shall  be  glorious."  That  Christ  should  be  born  of  a  Virgin  in  a 
miraculous  manner  is  strongly  implied  in  the  promise  already  cited. 
He  was  emphatically  "the  saed  of  the  woman."  "Behold,"  saith 
Isaiah,  "a  Virgin  shall  conceive  and  bear  a  son,  and  shall  call  his 
name  Immanuel,  God  with  us."  This  is  a  sign  promised  by  the  Lord 
Himself  to  confound  the  Israelites  who  wearied  Him  with  their  in- 
iquities. That  a  Virgin  should  conceive  and  bear  a  son  in  tbe  ordin- 
ary way  couid  be  neither  a  sign  nor  excite  astonishment.  But  the 
birth  of  Christ  was  both  a  sign  and  a  miracle.  The  interpretation  of 
the  Septuagint  is  strictly  conformable  to  this  application  of  the  proph- 
ecy, and  the  first  opposition  to  it  as  such  was  made  by  Syrnmachus  in 


47 

the  second  century.  That  the  Messiah  was  to  he  born  before  the  dis- 
solution of  the  Jewish  state,  and  the  destruction  of  the  second  temple 
is  clearly  predicted  by  Daniel,  Haggai  and  Zechariah.  Daniel  says, 
Chapter  IX,  "Seventy  weeks  are  determined  upon  thy  people  ar-d  upon 
thy  Holy  City  to  finish  the  transgression,  and  to  make  an  end  of  sins, 
and  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,  and  to  bring  in  everlasting 
righteousness,  and  to  seal  up  the  vision  and  prophecy,  and  to  anoint 
the  Most  Holy.  Know  therefore  and  understand  that  from  the  going 
forth  of  the  commandment  to  restore  and  build  Jerusalem  unto  the 
Messiah,  the  Prince  shall  be  seven  weeks  and  three  score  and  two 
weeks,  and  after  the  three  score  and  two  week  shall  Messiah  be  cut 
off,  but  not  for  Himself.  And  the  people  ot  the  Prince  shall  come, 
shall  destroy  the  city  and  the  sanctuary,  and  the  end  thereof  shall  be 
with  a  flood,  and  unto  the  end  of  the  of  the  war  desolations  are  de" 
termined. 

And  He  shall  confirm  the  covenant  with  manv  for  one  week,  and 
in  the  midst  ot  the  week  He  shall  cause  the  sacrifice  and  oblation  to 
cease,  and  for  the  overspreading  abomination,  he  shall  make  it  deso- 
late even  until  the  consummation,  and  that  determined  shall  be 
poured  on  the  desolate.  It  may  be  necessary  to  observe  that  the 
prophetic  week  is  put  for  seven  years,  and  that  the  prophet  writing 
in  Chaldea,  takes  the  Chaldean  year  for  his  data,  which  con- 
sisted of  360  days.  Whoever  will  take  the  trouble  to  compute  the 
weeks  of  Daniel,  will  find  that  they  have  been  exactly  accomplished, 
both  as  it  respects  the  birth  and  death  of  Christ,  the  destruction  of 
the  second  temple,  and  the  desolation  which  followed.  With  respect 
to  the  language  of  the  Prophets  and  the  compietion  of  their  predic- 
tions, the  enquirer  after  truth,  would  do  well  to  consult  that  lucid 
Commentator,  Sir  Isaac  Newton.  The  second  prediction  which  we 
shall  quote  uuder  this  head,  is  that  of  Haggai,  who  expressly  informs 
us  that  the  Messiah  was  to  appear  during  the  second  Temple  which 
was  begun  to  be  built  by  the  order  of  Cyrus,  finished  under  Dariusy 
son  of  Hystaspes,  and  destroyed  by  Vespusius.  "And  I  will  shake  all 
nations  and  the  desire  of  all  nations  shall  come,  and  I  will  fill  this 
house  with  glory  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  "The  glory  of  this  latter 
house  shall  be  greater  than  the  former,  saith  the  Lord  ot  Hosts,  and 
in  this  piace  will  I  give  peace  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  This  proph- 
ecy speaks  of  a  great  change  in  the  political  world,  such  as  had  taken 
place  by  the  conquests  of  the  Romans,  previous  to  the  coming  of  our 
Saviour. 

It  describes  the  Messiah  as  the  expectation  of  the  Gentiles^ 
agreeable  to  the  idea  given  of  him  to  Abraham.  It  fixes  the  period  of 
his  appearance  during  the  existence  of  the  Temple  built  by  Zerubba- 


48 

bel,  and  makes  the  glory  of  that  house  to  depend  upon  its  being 
honored  with  the  presence  of  Christ,  Zechariah  represents  the  com- 
ing of  the  Messiah  as  near  at  hand,  while  Balaam  almost  ten  ages 
before  intimated  His  coming  at  a  considerable  distance.  "I  see  him 
but  not  nigh."  Malachi  also  said:  "The  Lord  whom  ye  seek  shall 
suddenly  come  to  His  Temple,  even  the  messenger  of  the  covenant 
whom  ye  delight  in.  Behold  He  shall  come  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts! 
That  there  was  a  general  expectations  of  such  a  person  as  Christ  is 
evident  from  the  writings  of  Heathens  as  well  as  the  calculations  of  the 
Jews.  It  is  true  the  latter,  after  they  had  rejected  their  true  Messiah, 
fixed  their  calculations  at  the  expiration  of  the  seventy  weeks  which 
was  the  third  year  after  the  death  of  Christ. 

The  reason  of  their  being  deluded  by  so  many  false  Messiahs,  that 
Jesus  Christ  was  to  fill  the  Important  offices  of  Prophet,  Priest  and 
King  appears  from  the  following  predictions:  "I  will  raise  them  up". 
says  God  by  Moses,  llA  Prophet  from  among  their  brethren,  like 
unto  thee,  and  will  out  my  words  in  His  mouth,  and  He  shall  speak 
unto  them  all  that  I  shall  command  Him.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass 
that  whosoever  will  not  hearken  unto  My  words  which  He  shall 
speak  in  My  name,  I  will  require  it  of  Him.''  "Search  the  Scrip- 
tures" says  Christ,  "for  in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life,  and  they 
are  they  which  testify  of  Me."  "For  had  ye  believed  Moses,  ye  would 
have  believed  Me,  for  he  wrote  of  Me.  But  if  ye  believe  not  his  writings, 
how  shall  ye  believe  My  words?"  "The  resemblances  between  Moses 
and  Christ  wherein  they  differed,  and  where  the  latter  excelled  are  well 
drawn  by  the  writers  of  the  New  Testament.  "Moses,  as  a  faithful, 
servant,  and  Christ,  as  a  Son,"  fulfilled  the  work  assigned  to  them  by 
the  Father  of  the  Universe.  If  Moses  was  King  in  Jeshurun,  Christ 
was  established  a  "King  over  His  Holy  Hill  of  Zion."  His  Kingdom 
indeed,  was  very  different  from  what  the  Jews  expected,  beiug  "not 
of  this  world,"  and  His  priesthood  dissimilar  to  that  of  Aaron,  being, 
"according  to  the  order  of  Melchisedec  an  eternal  priesthood."  The 
particulars  respecting  the  life,  sufferings,  death,  resurrection  and 
character  of  Chirst  are  so  clearly  described  by  the  Ancient  Prophets 
that  some  of  the  Jewish  Rabbis  have  been  driven  to  the  necessity  of 
inventing  a  double  Messiah,  "One  who  was  to  redeem  them,  and 
another  who  was  to  suffer  for  them;  the  one  to  precede,  fisrht  and 
suffer  death;  the  other  to  conquer,  reign  and  never  die.  "This  con- 
cession is  certainly  favorable  to  the  Christians,  for  it  admits  of  a  suf- 
fering Messiah."  Who  indeed  can  read  the  22d  Psalm  and  the  53d 
chapter  of  Isaiah  without  admitting  it,  and  also  the  application  of  the 
prophecy  to  Christ.  Was  He  not  "a  man  of  sorrow  and  acquainted 
with  grief?"    "Surely  He  hath  borne  our  griefs  and  carried  our  sor- 


49 

rows.  He  was  wounded  FoT  our  ransgressionsi;  He  was  bruised  for 
our  iniquities;  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  Him,  and 
with  His  stripes  we  are  healed.  He  is  brought  as  a  lamb  to  tin' 
slaughter,  and  a  sheep  before  her  shearers  is  dumb  -Heopened  not  His 
tnouth.  He  was  taken  away  by  distress  and  judgement;  He  was  cut 
off  from  the  land  of  the  living,  for  the  transgression  .of  my  people  was 
Hestricken.  And  He  made  His  grave  with  the  rich  in  His  death. 
because  He  had  done  no  violence,  neither  was  any  deceit  in  His  mouth. 

The  circumstantial  accomplishment  of  this  prophecy  cannot  be 
denied.  Let  ns  see  how  the  other  Prophets  correspond  with  Isaiah, 
and  if  we  join  the  Prophets  and  Evangelists  together,  it  will  appear 
the  Messiah  was  to  suffer  which  Christ  hath  suffered.  If  Zechariah 
says:  "'They  weighed  for  my  price  thirty  pieces  of  silver;"  Matthew 
will  shew  that  Judas  sold  Jesus  for  ''thirty  pieces  of  silver."  If 
Isaiah  says:  "That  He  was  wounded;"  if  Zechariah:  "They  shall 
look  on  me  whom  they  have  pierced;"  if  the  Prophet  David:  "Thev 
pierced  my  hand  and  my  feet;"  the  Evangelists  will  show  how  He 
was  fastened  to  the  cross,  and  Jesus  Himself,  ''the  print  of  the  nails." 
If  the  Psalmist  informs  us,  "Tney  should  laugh  him  to  scorn,  and 
shake  their  heads,  saying:  He  trusted  in  the  Lord  that  he  would  de- 
liver Him,  Matthew  will  describe  the  same  action  and  the  same  ex- 
pression, "For  they  that  passed  by  reviled  Him,  wagging  their  heads 
and  saying:  He  trusted  in  God,  let  Him  deliver  Him  now  if  He  will 
have  Him,  for  He  said  I  am  the  Son  of  God.  Let  David  say.  "my 
God,  my  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  me?  And  the  son  of  David 
will  shew  in  whose  person  Divid  spoke  it — "Eli,  Eli,  Lama  Sabbacth- 
ani?"  Let  Isaiah  say,  "He  was  numbered  with  the  transgressors"  and 
you  shall  find  Him  crucified  between  two  thieves,  one  on  His  righc 
and  the  other  on  His  left.  Read  in  the  Psalmist — "In  ray  thirst,  they 
gave  Me  vinegar  to  drink."  "Jesus,  that  the  Scriptures  might  be  ful- 
filled said,  I  thirst,  aud  they  took  a  sponge  and  filled  it  with  vinegar 
and  put  it  on  a  reed  and  gave  Him  to  drink."  Kead  farther  yet — 'They 
put  my  garment  among  them,  and  cast  lots  upon  my  vesture,  and  to 
fulfill  the  prediction  the  soldiers  shall  make  good  the  distinction," 
who  took  his  garments  and  made  four  parts,  and  also  His  coat.  Now 
the  coat  was  without  a  seam,  woven  from  the  top  throughout.  They 
said,  therefore,  let  us  not  rend  it,    but   cast  lots  for    it,  whose   it   be. 

The  resurrection  of  Christ,  a  point  on  which  the  faith  and  hope  of 
ail  believers  rest  is  thus  foretold  bv  David:  "I  foresaw  the  Lord 
always  before  my  face,  for  He  is  on  my  right  hand,  that  I  should  not 
be  moved.  Therefore  did  my  heart  rejoice,  and  my  tongue  was  glad; 
moreover, also  nay  flesh  shall  rest  in  hope,  because  Thou  wilt  not  leave 
my  soul  in  hades,  neither  wilt  Thou  suffer  thine  Holy  one  to  see  cor- 


50 

ruption.  Thou  hast  made  known  to  me  the  ways  of  life.  Thou  Shalt 
make  me  full  of  joy  with  Thy  countenance.  "Men  and  brethren,' 
said  Peter,  in  his  successful  sermon  on  the  Day  of  Pentecost,  ''Let  rue 
freely  speak  unto  you  of  tne  Patriarch  David,  that  lie  is  both  dead 
and  buried,  and  his  sepulchre  is  with  us  unto  this  day,  therefore  be- 
ing a  Prophet  and  knowing  that  God  had  sworn  with  an  oath  to  him, 
that  of  the  fruit  of  his  loins,  according  to  the  flesh,  he  would  raise  up 
Christ  to  sit  upon  His  Throne;  he  seeing  this  before  spake  of  the  resur- 
rection of  Christ,  that  his  soul  was  not  left  in  hades  neither  did  his 
flesh  see  corruption,1'  "whereof  we  are  the  witnesses," 

The  Apostle's  reasoning  was  certainly  understood  by  many  of  the 
Jews,  for  "Three  thousand  of  them  were  added  that  day  to  the 
church.  They  all  acknowledged  David  to  be  a  Prophet — they  all 
knew  that  he  had  written,  "Toe  Lord  said  unto  my  Lord,  sit  thou  on 
my  right  hand  till  I  make  thy  foes  thy  footstool."  That  the  words 
could  not  be  applied  to  David  is  evident,  for  kshe  saw  corruption,"  but 
Christ  did  not;  who,  according  to  Moses,  the  Prophets  and  the  Psalm- 
ist it  behoved  to  suffer,  to  die,  to  be  buried  and  to  rise  again  from  the 
dead.  "He  will"  said  Isaiah,  "swallow  up  death  in  victory,"  and 
Hosea,  prophesying  of  Him  says,  "Ob  T  death,  I  will  be  thy  plagues. 
Oh!  grave,  I  will  be  thy  destruction.'1* 

*I  have  copied  the  above  verbatim  from  the  original  manuscript  of  M.  J.  It.  No 
date  nor  name  of  any  place  is  given  in  the  sermon.  The  Author, 


51 


Appeals  In  Behalf  of  Liberty. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
To  the  Legislators  of  America:— 

Citizens: — You  stand  in  the  place  of  God,  to  make  laws  for  man. 
Justice  and  mercy  should  be  stamped  on  all  your  proceedings.  You  are 
not  ignorant  of  the  principles  of  good  government;  you  well  know  that 
to  be  the  best  government  in  which  all  the  inherent  rights  of  human 
nature  are  inviolably  secured,  legal  authority  is  maintained  and  restricted 
to  its  objects,  the  power  of  the  state  is  employed  to  promote  the  general 
happiness,  and  inequality  itself  tends  to  preserve  equality  of  law  and 
parity  of  obligation  among  all  the  members  of  the  community.  Legis- 
lators of  the  United  States!  are  you  ignorant  of  the  signs  of  the  times? 
You  cannot  be  The  proximity  of  the  West  India  Islands  and  the  state 
of  the  Negroes,  under  the  French  Government,  cannot  escape  your 
notice.  But  we  have  peace  at  home.  Yes,  sirs!  Where  is  the  man 
barbarous  and  stupid  enough  to  give  the  name  of  peace  to  the  silence, 
the  force  silence  of  slavery?  It  is  indeed  peace,  but  it  is  the  peace  of  the 
tomb — the  silence  of  slaves  is  terrible.  It  is  the  silence  before  a  hurri- 
cane: the  winds  are  yet  hushed,  but  from  the  dark  bosom  of  an  immov- 
able cloud  darts  the  thunder,  the  signal  of  the  tempest,  which  strikes  at 
the  moment  the  flash  appears  The  silence,  that  silence  that  force 
compels,  is  the  principal  cause  of  the  miseries  of  nations,  and  of  the 
destruction  of  their  oppressors.  Absolute  authority  was  never  designed 
for  mortals — the  best  natures  will  abuse  it.  "It  fills  the  mind  of  man 
with  great  and  unreasonable  conceits  of  himself,  raises  him  to  a  belief 
that  he  is  a  superior  species  to  the  rest  ot  mankind;  so  great  is  the 
danger,  that  when  a  man  can  do  what  he  will,  he  will  do  what  he  can." 

Slavery  is  productive  of  pride,  luxury  and  licentiousness;  and  the 
dissoluteness  of  manners,  which  the  unrestrained  power  of  gratification 
produces  in  the  slave-holder  and  managers,  cannot  fail  sooner  or  later  to 
involve  in  ruin  the  country  where  this  abuse  of  reason  and  humanity  is 
permitted.  Legislators!  will  you  wait  until  the  cloud  bursts  on  your 
heads?  May  the  manes  of  a  Franklin  with  his  electrical  rod  prevent  the 
shock!  May  the  memory  of  those  men  who  were  martyrs  to  the  cause 
of  liberty  inspire  your  souls  to  acts  of  righteousness  and  deeds  of  mercy! 
Proclaim  the  jubilee— you  have  no  time  to  lose.     If  you  are  not   expedi- 


tious  the  laurel  will  be  taken  from  you  and  repentance  will  come  too 
late.  Shew  yourselves  therefore  to  be  men  who  have  the  interest  of 
your  country  at  heart.  And  the  philosopher  shall  not  complain  that 
"the  rulers  of  America  are  not  worthy  to  be  trusted  with  an  Empire,  the 
most  extensive  that  ever  obtained  a  name,  in  any  age  or  quarter  of  the 
globe." 

I  Am,  Citizens, 
Georgia,  Feb.,  1795.  Philaxthropos. 

To  the  Ministers  of  Religion  in  the  United  States 
of  America  : — 

Men  and  Brethren: — Your  profession  is  honorable.  You  are  in 
a  situation  to  be  useful.  It  is  true,  in  several  of  the  States  a  most  mean, 
inconsistent  and  contemptible  law  deprives  you  of  the  common  privilege 
of  citizens  I  hope  it  will  create  in  your  souls  a  perfect  hatred  of 
tyranny  in  whatever  shape  it  may  form  itself;  that  it  will  inspire  your 
souls  with  fresh  vigor  in  defending  the  glorious  cause  of  liberty  ;  that  it 
will  cement  together  in  one  evangelical  fraternity  all  the  sects-  and 
parties  among  you— then  you  will  have  no  enemy  but  vice,  no  friend 
but  truth  Love  to  God  and  man  are  the  hinges  upon  which  every  door 
in  your  temples  and  habitations  should  turn.  No  spot  on  the  habitable 
globe  affords  you  greater  scope  to  exercise  and  encourage  philanthropy 
than  America.  Thousands  of  distressed  Negroes  in  the  bowels  of  your 
country  groan  for  liberty  at  the  altar  of  the  unknown  God.  The  Indians 
in  a  great  measure  surround  your  territories  and  wait  for  your  mission- 
aries to  tell  them,  "And  the  days  of  this  ignorance  God  winked  at"  or 
passed  by,  'but  now  commandeth  all  men  everywhere  to  repent."  0» 
sirs,  remember  that  Indians  and  Negroes  will  rise  up  in  judgment 
against  you,  if  you  do  not  exert  your  influence  to  emancipate  the  one 
and  send  messengers  of  peace  to  the  other.  Excuse  not  yourselves  by 
saying  "We  have  no  influence,  the  people  will  not  hear  as."  If  the 
people  will  not  hear  your  reasoning,  follow  them  with  your  remon- 
strances. If  they  shun  your  places  of  worship,  go  to  the  streets,  high- 
ways and  hedges.  Assure  them  that  the  Judge  is  at  the  door,  that  the 
day  of  retribution  is  at  hand.  Thus  you  will  save  your  own  souls  and 
such  as  will  receive  vour  doctrine. 


a  fragment. 

"And  finally,  to  impart  all  the  blessings  we  possess,  or  ask  for  our- 
selves, to  the  whole  family  of  mankind." 

Nobly  said.  Whilst  anticipating  the  happy  period  when  the  appli- 
cation should  be  made  even  to  Africans,  I  thought  myself  immediately 


53 

transported  to  Mount  Vernon,  and  there  beheld  the  Defender  of  His 
Country,  in  conformity  to  his  prayer,  convening  his  Negroes  together 
and  addressing  them  thus:— "Brethren,  you  have  long  been  my  bonds- 
men: 1  have  kept  you  as  slaves,  contrary  to  the  laws  of  God  and  the 
natural  rights  of  man— but  as  it  has  pleased  the  Almighty  to  open  my 
eyes  and  inclined  my  heart  to  pray 'that  the  blessing's  we  possess  as 
white  men  may  be  imparted  to  the  whole  family  of  mankind,'  I  im- 
mediately set  you  at  liberty,  not  doubting  but  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
United  Slates  will  follow  trry  example  in  so  equitable  a  deed.  I  call  you 
my  black  children;  T  gave  orders  that  you  might  be  always  used  well, 
but  I  had  no  right  to  keen  }'i)U  slavcs~you  are  such  no  longer.  The  day 
of  your  emancipation  is  the  happiest  of  my  life.  It  is  the  day  wherein  I 
have  obtained  the  greatest  conquest;  I  rejoice  m  it  more  than  all  my 
victories  over  the  British  Armies.  My  black  brethren  be  free.  You 
who  are  old  and  infirm  T  shall  comfortably  support  for  your  past  labors. 
Your  children  shall  be  instructed,  and  none  of  you  in  any  way  shall  go 
away  without  ample  satisfaction.  Such  of  you  as  choose  to  remain  with 
me  shall  be  rewarded  according  to  your  merit  and  industry.  Your  off- 
spring will  soon  become  respectable  citizens  of  America;  but  remember 
it  must  be  by  serving  God  and  performing  their  duties  towards  mem 
Let  me  beseech  you  not  to  avenge  your  ancient  wrongs.  Look  unto 
Christ  and  forgive  your  enemies.  When  I  am  no  more  in  tins  world, 
think  of  George  Washington  " 

With  the^e  words,  1  heard  the  united  voices  of  the  Negroes  rending 
the  air  with  exclamations  of  joy— "O  no,  Massa,  we  never  forget  you." 
The  heavens  smiled  upon  the  (h'ci],  and  I  found  myself  back  in  Georgia. 

Philanthbopos 

Fel  ruary  2otb,  17!.'.";. 


AN    ORATION 

Delivered  at 

Greenville,  Headquarters  of  the  Western  Army,  North- 
West  of  the  Ohio, 

JULY    4th,    1795, 
By    the 

REV.  MORGAN  J.  RHEES, 

A   Late  Emigrant  From  Wales. 


PHILADELPHIA. 

Printed  by  Lang  &  Ustick. 
*  1795. 


(From  the  Philadelphia  Gazette.) 
Mr.  Brown:— 

A  copy  of  the  enclosed  oration,  delivered  on  the  late  anniversary 
of  American  Independence,was  presented  to  a  citizen  of  Philadelphia. 
That  citizen,  wishing  to  make  good  use  of  it,  forwards  it  to  your  press 
for  publication — sensible  that  the  perusal  of  it  will  afford  pleasure  to 
all  the  sincere  lovers  of  Liberty !  The  Author  is  greatly  and  deservedly 
esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  7,  1795.  W.  R. 


56 


An   Or3tsom 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Illustrious  Americans!  Noble  Patriots!  You  commemorate  a 
glorious  day— the  Birthday  of  Freedom  in  the  New  World!  Yes, 
Columbia,  thou  art  free.  The  twentieth  year  of  thy  independence 
commences  this  day.  Thou  has  taken  the  lead  in  regenerating  the 
world.  Look  back,  look  forward;  think  of  the  past,  anticipate  the  future 
and  behold  with  astonishment  the  transactions  of  the  present  time  ! 
The  globe  revolves  on  the  axis  of  Liberty;  the  new  world  has  put  the  old 
in  motion;  the  light  of  truth,  running  rapid  like  lightning,  flashes  con- 
victions in  the  heart  of  every  civilized  nation.  Yes,  the  thunder  of 
American  remonstrance  has  fallen  so  heavy  on  the  lead  of  the  tyrant 
that  other  nations,  encouraged  by  her  example,  will  extirpate  all  despots 
from  the  earth! 

O,  France,  although  I  do  not  justify  thy  excesses,  I  venerate  thy 
magnanimity.  If  the  sun  of  thy  liberty  has  been  eclipsed  by  a  blood- 
thirsty Marat  and  a  saturnine  Robespiere,  if  their  accomplices,  the  sons 
of  faction,  will  darken  thy  horizon,  the  energy  of  the  nation,  the  uu- 
parallelled  success  of  thy  armies,  like  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  will 
scatter  the  clouds  and  drive  them  from  thy  hemisphere.  The  sun  of 
liberty  will  return  with  healing  in  its  wings!  Yes,  its  genial  rays  will 
restore  the  swooping  spirit  of  the  distressed,  and  give  new  energy  to  the 
champions  of  freedom  Invincible  Frenchmen,  go  on!  Having  laid 
your  hands  to  the  plough,  look  not  back  until  the  soil  of  Europe  is  made 
a  proper  fallow  to  receive  the  seeds  of  emancipation. 

The  popish  beast  has  nearly  numbered  his  days;  the  vassal  kings, 
emperors  and  princes  who  have  deluged  the  earth  with  blood,  under 
their  malign  influence,  shall  soon  take  their  exit  with  him  to  the  same 
|iit  of  destruction.  Nor  shall  those  potentates  who  have  thrown  off  his 
yoke  to  ape  his  authority  escape  the  punishment  due  for  their  crimes. 
They  have,  under  the  mask  of  mammonisni,  riveted  the  chains  of 
slavery  two-fold  faster  than  Charlemagne  had  it  in  their  power  How- 
ever, wlr.'ii  the  sons  of  Liberty  will  make  a  strong  pull, a  long  pull  and  a 
pull   all   together,  the   brass   bars,  the   iron   gates,,  the  gold  and  silver 


chains  of  despotism  must  be  broken.  Combined  Sons  of  Freedom !  go  orj 
until  every  bastile  on  earth,  with  the  infernal  dungeons  of  the  ocean,* 
are  destroyed  like  the  Parisian  prison. 

Batavians  and  Belgians!  rally   to   the  standard   of  your  deliverers 
assist  them  to  carry  their  conquest*  to  the  citadel  of  Rome   that  the  tre 
of  liberty  may  be  planted  once  more  on  the  banks  of  the  Tiber.     If  the 
Court  of  Byzantium  should  be  inimical  to  your  progress,  tell  the  monster 
Mahomed  that  the  Hag  of  freedom   shall   soon   fly   on    the   ramparts  of 
<  lonstantinople. 

Neither  the  Ottoman  Porte  nor  the  infamous  Catharine  can  long 
withstand  the  energy  of  freemen.  Let  them  meet  the  haughty  tyrant 
of  the  north  in  the  fertile  fields  of  Poland,  and  the  vassals  of  that  un- 
happy country  shall  be  restored  to  liberty  and  equality.  The  Greeks 
and  the  Romans  will  then  know  that  the  lire  of  freedom  is  not  ex- 
tinguished. 

Whilst  I  behold  it  kindling  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe,where  shall 
I  turn  my  eyes  first?  O,  My  Country!;  My  Country!  My  heart  bleeds, 
my  eyes  become  a  fountain  of  waters  when  1  think  of  thy  fate  Ichabod 
may  be  written  upon  all  thy  borders,  for  the  glory  is  departed!  How  is 
thy  bright  gold  become  dim?  How  are  the  sons  of  Liberty,  the  pearls  of 
the  nations  cast  into  prisons  and  banished  o'er  the  seas?  O,  my  coun- 
trymen! my  countrymen!  how  long  will  you  be  duped  by  a  dogmatic 
administration  which  seems  determined  to  destroy  not  only  their  own 
nation,  but  to  mark  their  footsteps  with  devastation  and  blood  wherever 
they  go. 

Infatuated  Britons!  I  feel  for  your  insanity,  although  four  thousand 
miles  from  your  coasts.  Twenty  years  have  elapsed  since  your  American 
brethren  have  given  you  a  practical  example  to  resist  despotism.  Have 
they  not  emphatically  told  you  that  no  government  has  a  right  to  taxa- 
tion without  a  free  and  equal  representation  ? 

Ancient  Britons!*  awake  out  of  your  sleep!  Open  your  eyes!  Why 
are  your  tyrants  great  ?  Because  you  kneel  down  and  cringe  to  them. 
Rise  up^you  are  their  equals!  If  you  cannot  rise,  creep  to  the  ocean 
and  the  friendly  waves  will  waft  you  over  the  Atlantic  to  the  hospitable 
shoves  of  America  If  you  cannot  attain  liberty  in  your  own  native 
country,  "where  liberty  dwells,  call  that  your  country."  Embark  then 
for  the  Western  World,  which  wants  nothing  but  millions  of  good 
citizens,  to  makeup  the  glory  of  all  the  earth.  Quit  the  little  despotic 
island  which  gave  you  birth,  and  leave  the  tyrants  and  slaves  of  your 
country  to  live  and  die  together. 


'I'!,r  British  Men-of-War. 
fGreat  Britain. 
j  The  Welsh  people. 


58 

Citizens  of  the  United  States:  Be  not  frightened  in  beholding  so 
many  emigrants  flocking  to  your  territory.  If  all  the  inhabitants  of 
the  world  were  to  pay  you  a  visit,  you  can  compliment  each  of  them 
with  half  an  acre  of  land.*  But,  sirs,  look  forward  and  behold  with 
transports  of  joy  this  vast  continent  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  from  the  Pacific  to  the  Atlantic,  forming  one 
grand  Republic  of  Brethren. 

At  present  it  is  impossible  to  calculate  on  the  rapidity  of  revolu- 
tions. What  formerly  took  a  century  to  accomplish  is  brought  to 
pa«s  in  a  day.  If  the  snow  ball  as  it  rolls,  multiplies  its  magnitude, 
the  torrent  heing  checked  for  a  season,  runs  with  greater  rapidity. 
So  the ca use  of  truth  and  liberty,  being  opposed  by  despots,  will  grain 
greater  energy,  and  will  eventually,  like  a  mighty  deluge,  sweep 
every  refuge  of  his  from  the  earth.  The  little  stone  which  Nebu- 
chadnezzar s-iw,  smote  the  image  on  its  feet,  ground  it  to  powder,  be- 
came a  great  mountain  and  filled  tue  whole  earth.  So  be  it  speedily. 
May  the  perfect  law  of  liberty  sway  its  sceptre  of  love,  from  the  rising 
to  the  setting  sun,  from  the  centre  of  the  globe  to  the  extremities  of 
the  poles. 

Citizens  of  United  States:  Whilst  you  commemorate  a  glorious 
resolution,  call  to  mind  your  first  principles  of  action — never  forget 
them  nor  those  who  assisted  you  to  put  your  prin?iplesin  practice. 
May  the  curse  of  Meroz  (Judges  V)  never  fall  upon  America  for  not 
joining  the  heralds  of  freedom, whilst  combatting  the  tyrants  of  Europe. 

Citizens  of  America:  Guard  with  jealousv  the  temple  of  Liberty. 
Protect  her  altars  from  being  polluted  with  the  offerings  of  force  of 
fraud. 

Citizens  and  Soldiers  of  America — Sons  of  Liberty:  It  is  you  I 
address.  Bauish  from  your  land  the  remains  of  slavery.  Be  consis- 
tent with  your  congressional  declaration  of  rights  and  you  will  be 
happy.  Remember  there  never  was  nor  will  be  a  period  when  justice 
should  not  be  do  ie.  Do  what  is  just  and  leave  the  event  with  God. 
Justice  is  the  pillar  that  upholds  the  whole  fabric  of  human  society, 
and  mercy  is  the  genial  ray  which  cheers  and  warms  the  habitations 
ofinau.  The  perfection  of  our  social  character  consists  in  properly 
tempering  the  two  with  one  another.  In  holding  that  middle  course 
which  admits  of  our  being  just  without  being  rigid  and  allows  us  to 
be  generous  without  being  unjust.  May  all  the  citizens  of  America  be 
found  in  the  performance  of  such  social  virtues  as  will  secure  them 
peace  and  happiness  in  this  world  and  in  the  world  to  come,  life 
everlasting,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

*  (i.  e).     Within  the  limits  of  the  United  States— Indian  Territory  included. 


59 


HISTORY 

OF  THE 

CITY  OK  BEULAH; 

ALSO   OF 

BEULAH    BAPTIST  CHllJRCII, 


BY   J     F.  BARNES. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

In  a  valley  on  the  head  waters  of  the  south  fork  of  Black  Lick 
Creek,  in  the  midst  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains,  about  three  miles 
west  of  Ebensburg,  Cambria  County,  Pennsylvania,  a  few  heaps  of 
stones,  covered  with  moss,  trees  and  ferns,  and  here  and  there  an  ex- 
cavation, nearly  filled  with  debris  and  vegetation,  mark  the  site  of 
the  extinct  town  of  Beulah;  whilst  a  grave-yard,  located  on  an  adjoin- 
ing plateau,  where  numerous  narrow  mounds,  with  here  and  there 
moss-covered  head  and  foot  stones  scarcely  discernible  for  the  vines 
and  briars  that  cover  this  little  cemetery,  mark  the  last  resting-place 
of  many  of  the  former  citizens  of  this  once  thriving  settlement. 

We  can  not  conceive  of  a  more  complete  and  thororjjrh  abandonment 
and  utter  desolation  than  exist  here  at  the  present  time,  and  yet  this 
was  once  the  scene  of  active,  busv  life.  The  inhabitants  were  full  of 
energy,  enthusiasm  and  enterprise,  and  they  fondly  cherished  the 
expectation  that  Beulah  would  eventually  become  the  centre  of  many 
thriving  settlements. 

At  first  glance,  the  visitor  wonders  why  a  colony  should  locate  in 
such  a  desolate  and  secluded  place.  It  seems  to  be  isolated  from  the 
surrounding  country.  None  of  the  principal  thoroughfares  pass 
through  it.  A  township  road,  in  miserable  condition,  scarcely  wide 
•enough  for  a  vehicle  to  pass  along,  leads  to  and  from  the  site   of   this 


60 

old  town.  But  it  was  not  always  thus.  In  a.  d.  1787,  tbe  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania  being  desirous  of  opening  its  territory  lying 

west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains  for  settlement,  surveyed  and  con- 
structed a  road  from  Frankstown,  on  the  Juniata  River,  to  East 
Liberty,  one  of  the  suburbs  of  Pittsburg. 

Frankstown,  the  eastern  terminus  of  the  this  road,  is  probably 
the  oldest  town  in  the  Juniata  Valley.  Conrad  Wiester  mentions  it  in 
bis  diary  as  early  as  1748,  and  it  is  spoken  of  by  traders  who  where 
I  here  in  1741)  and  1750.  It  occupies  the  site  of  an  old  Iudian  settlement 
called  Assunepachla,  which  signifies  a  meeting  of  many  waters,  an 
appropriate  name,  since  in  tnis  vicinity  four  streams  unite  to  form 
the  Frankstown  branch  of  the  Juniata  River. 

This  road  was  known  to  the  early  settlers  along  the  route  as  the 
Frankstown  Road,  and  even  at  the  present  time  in  that  portion  of 
Pittsburgh  formerly  known  as  East  Liberty,  one  of  its  streets  is  stdl 
called  the  Frankstown  Road,  thus  indicating  the  place  where  this 
once  famous  thoroughfare  connected  with  the  Cumberland  or  South- 
ern Turnpike. 

Soon  after  its  construction,  this  road  became  the  main  thorough- 
fare between  the  central  and  northeastern  part  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Pittsburgh  and  the  West.  At  that  time,  no  iron  nor  salt  were 
produced  west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains,  and  these  important  and 
almost  indispensable  articles  were  transported,  in  wagons  and  on 
pack-saddles,  from  the  Juniata  Valley,  across  the  mountains  along 
this  road.  More  than  that,  this  road  became  the  main  route  of  travel 
for  emigrants  from  the  State  of  Connecticut  to  their  newly  acquired 
territory  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  now  known  as  the  "Western  Reserve." 

We,  living  in  this  age  of  railroad  and  steamboat  transportation 
and  travel,  can  have  but  an  imperfect  conception  of  the  vast  number 
of  borses  and  vehicles  necessary  to  conduct  a  traffic  of  this  kind. 
Illustrative  of  this,  permit  me  to  state  that  my  grandfather,  Joseph 
Barnes,  kept  a  hotel  and  ferry  on  the  same  Frankstown  Road, 
where  it  crossed  the  Conemaugh  River,  two  miles  below  the  present 
site  of  Blairsville,  and  my  father,  Henry  Barnes,  frequently  told  me 
that  it,  was  no  unusual  thing  for  one  hundred  teams  to  stop  with 
them  on  the  same  night.  It  may  be  asked  how  they  accommodated 
so  many.  The  answer  is  that  the  horses  were  usually  tied  to  the 
wagons  and  fed  out  of  boxes  attached  thereto,  whilst  a  large  propor- 
tion of  the  teamsters  and  emigrants  slept  in  their  covered  wagons  or 
schooners,  as  they  are  now  called  in  the  far  West. 

Tha  site  of  Beulah  was  located  on  this  busy  thoroughfare.  In 
1797,  Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhees,  aided  and  encouraged  by  his  warm 
personal  friend  and  admirer,  the  distinguished  Dr.  Benjamin,  Rush  of 


(51 

Philadelphia,  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  in  what  was  at  that 
time  the  north-western  part  of  Somerset  County,  Pa.  Mr.  Rhees 
called  this  tract  of  land  Cambria,  in  honor  of  his  native  Wales.  He 
also  laid  out  a  town  upon  a  portion  of  this  tract  and  called  it  Beulah.  It 
is  a  Welsh  word  meaning  "Land  of  Freedom,"  and,  as  we  shall  see 
hereafter,  Vlr.  Rhees'  experience  in  his  native  land  had  been  such  that 
he  could  fully  appreciate  the  advantage  of  dwelling  in  a  land  worthy 
of  the  name  of  Beulah.  Judging  from  the  plot  of  the  town,  w  hich 
may  be  found  among  the  records  of  Somerset  County,  the  founder  of 
Beulah  must  have  entertained  glowing  anticipations  of  the  luture 
greatness  of  the  place.  The  plot  of  Beulah  is  an  exact  counterpart  of 
the  original  plot  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  heing  four  miles  square, 
with  streets  intersecting  each  other  at  right  angles.  We  therefore 
feel  warranted  in  saying  that  Beulah  was  once  as  large  as  Philadel- 
phia, but  we  would  not  attempt  to  prove  that  it  was  ever  as  densely 
populated.  Dr.  Cathcart,  in  the  Baptist  Encyclopedia,  seems  to  con- 
vey the  impression  that  Dr.  Rush  was  a  partner  with  Rev.  Rhees  in 
this  enterprise;  but  we  have  examined  some  twenty-five  or  thirty 
original  title  papers,  and  in  each  and  every  instance  Morgan  J.  Rhees 
was  the  only  person  mentioned  in  the  body  of  the  deed,  as  the  owner 
and  disposer  of  the  lands,  and  his  signature  is  the  only  one  attached 
to  those  title  papers.  And  just,  here  I  shall  remark  that  the  signature 
of  Morgan  J.  Rhees  was  as  bold,  but  more  elegant,  than  that  of  John 
Hancock  when  he  signed  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence. 

Beulah  continued  to  flourish  for  some  time  after  it  was  located.  Mr. 
Rhees  brought  quite  a  number  of  Welsh  families  with  him  from 
Philadelphia,  and  others  were  attracted  to  the  place  in  anticipation 
of  the  future  greatness  of  the  "Mountain  City."  Some  sixty  or 
seventy  good,  substantial  log  buildings  were  erected  in  the  centre  of 
the  city,  whilst  numerous  clearings  were  opened  up  and  homes  es- 
tablished in  its  suburbs;  and  foi  miles  around,  the  country  was  known 
by  the  name  of  Beulah  instead  of  Cambria,  the  name  originally  given 
by  Mr.  Rhees  to  that  portion  of  his  purchase  lying  outside  of  the  city 
limits.  This  will  explain  what  I  meant  when  in  a  former  article  I 
stated  that  Thomas  E.  Thomas  resided  on  a  farm  near  Beulah,  three 
miles  west  ot  Ebensburg.  To  be  more  explicit,  I  should  have  stated 
that  the  farm  formerly  occupied  by  Thomas  E.  Thomas  is  on  the 
Ebensburg  and  Kittanning  Turnpike,  seven  miles  west  of  Ebensburg 
and  four  miles  from  the  site  of  the  Beulah  Baptist  meecing-house. 

At  one  time,  Beulah  had  a  population  of  upwards  of  300.  There 
were  located  in  the  city  two  hotels,  a  store,  one  church,  a  mill,  a 
school,  and  a  library  containing  about  600  volumes,  besides  a  suffi- 
cient number  ©f  mechanical  shops  to  meet  the   requirements  of  the 


62 

community  and  travelers.  We  examined  a  list  of  the  books  belonging 
to  "The  Cambrian  Library  at  Beulah,"  and  found  the  selection  to 
have  been  a  very  good  one.  The  Bible  is  the  first  named  on  the  list. 
Then  follows  such  books  as  Doddridge's  Works,  Hall's  Contempla- 
tions, etc.,  etc.  History,  literature,  the  arts  and  sciences,  mechanics 
and  even  military  tactics  are  all  represented  on  the  list.  We  also 
find  works  in  different  languages  named  on  the  list,  among  which  are 
Greek,  Latin  and  French  Testaments.  A  newspaper  was  published 
by  Morgan  J.  Rhees  at  Beulah  the  press  work  being  done  in  Philadel- 
phia. 

It  was  but  natural  that  Morgan  J.  Rhees,  having  taken  such  a 
lively  interest  in  the  education  of  the  young  people  in  his  native  land, 
should  establish  a  school  in  his  own  colony  soon  after  its  settlement, 
A  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  1797,  and  a  day  school  was  estab- 
lished soon  afterwards.  We  presume  that  Bro.  Rhees  conducted  his 
school  at  Beulah  upon  the  same  principle  that  he  conducted  his 
school  in  Wales,  that  is,  by  charging  nothing  for  tuition,  thus  making 
them  virtually  free  schocls.  However,  in  1802,  Rev.  Henry  George,  a 
Baptist  minister,  having  emigrated  from  Wales,  and  he  having  been 
obliged  to  leave  his  family  in  his  native  land  for  lack  of  funds  to  bring 
them  with  him,  opened  a  subscription  school  at  Beulah  for  the  purpose 
of  raising  money  to  send  for  his  family.  This  school  was  kept  in  the 
meeting-house,  and  some  of  the  pupils  came  from  a  distance  of  five  or 
six  miles,  following  old  Indian  trails  through  dense  forests.  It  was 
no  unusual  thing  for  the  children  to  hear  the  howling  of  wolves,  the 
growling  of  bears,  and  the  shrieks  of  panthers  as  they  journeyed 
homewatd  in  the  evenings. 

The  Sabbath-school  and  day-school  established  by  Bro.  Rhees  at 
Beulah  were  undoubtedly  the  first  schools  established  within  the 
limits  of  Cambria  County,  and  the  pay  school,  opened  by  Rev.  Henry 
George  at  Beulah,  was  the  second  of  that  kind  within  that  county v. 
Prince  Gallitzin  having  established  a  school  for  the  education  of  his- 
pariehioners  at  Loretta  in  the  spring  of  1800,  and  employed  a  Mr. 
O'Connor  to  serve  as  teacher. 

For  more  than  half  a  century  after  all  the  other  buildings  at  Beulah' 
had  disappeared,  there  remained  a  massive  structure  that  excited  the' 
curiosity  of  every  one  who  visited  the  place.  Whilst  all  the  other  build- 
ings had  been  constructed  of  hewn  logs,  erected  upon  solid  foundations1 
of  stonp,  this  building,  measuring  28  feet  by  32  feet,  and  being  full  two- 
stories  high,  besides  a  cellar  of  unusual  depth,  was  built  of  large  blocks 
of  rocks  quarried  in  that  vicinity.  Some  suppose  it  was  built  for  a  jail; 
others  that  it  was  intended  for  a  court-house;  others  that  it  was  for  a> 
library  and  town  hall;  but  from  the  best  information  I  could  obtain,  the 


63 

building  was  a  private  enterprise,  began  by  a  man  named  Philips,  who 
ran  it  up  to  the  height  of  two  full  stories,  but  who,  for  some  cause,  aban- 
doned it,  never  even  putting  a  roof  upon  it. 

My  opinion  is  that,  inasmuch  as  the  citizens  of  Beulah  entertained 
ardent  expectations  of  their  town  becoming  the  county  seat  of  the  new 
county  about  to  be  formed  of  parts  of  Bedford,  Huntingdon  and  Somer- 
set Counties,  this  man  Philips,  perhaps  acting  under  the  advice  and 
direction  of  capitalists  who  were  booming  the  town,  built  this  structure 
in  anticipation  of  its  soon  being  required  for  county  purposes,  and  that 
he  abandoned  it  without  completing  it,  when  Ebensburg,  instead  of 
Beulah,  was  selected  as  the  county  seat  of  Cambria  County.  This  struc- 
ture was  torn  down  some  time  ago,  and  the  stones  were  hauled  to  Ebens- 
burg, and  used  in  building  either  the  new  court-house  or  jail  at  that 
place. 

From  an  examination  of  the  consideration  received  for  lots  sold  in 
Beulah,  as  specefied  in  deeds  dated  in  1797,  1798  and  1799,  we  learn  that 
lots  located  on  Milk,  Kid,  Lamb  and  Third  Streets  usually  sold  for  about 
$50  each,  whilst  lots  sold  on  Joy,  Hope  and  some  other  streets  were  sold 
at  $10  each.  As  the  deeds  for  these  lots  were  all  made  by  Morgan  J. 
Rhees,  to  the  parties  who  purchased  them,  we  infer  they  were  not  im- 
proved lots,  and  since  the  payments  are  always  required  to  be  made  in 
"lawful  silver  money  of  the  United  States"  they  certainly  were  sold  at 
their  full  value,  when  we  reflect  upon  the  scarcity  of  money  and  its  pur- 
chasing power  at  that  time.  In  those  days,  50  dollars  would  have 
purchased  several  hundred  acres  ©f  unimproved  land  in  almost  any  part 
of  the  territory  now  embraced  within  the  limits  of  this  Association. 

Among  those  who  purchased  lots,  we  find  the  names  of  Thomas  W. 
Jones,  lot  No.  10,  East  Lamb  Street,  price  $50.  Date  of  deed,  Oct.  1> 
1797.  Rees  Lloyd,  lot  No.  7,  East  Joy  Street,  price  $10.  Date  of  deed, 
Nov.  22,  1797.  Ebenezer  Hickling,  lots  Nos,  33,  34  and  39,  East  Milk 
Street,  price  $50  each.  Date  of  deed,  June  29,  1799  Also  Deborah 
Taylor,  lot  No.  11,  East  Third  Street,  price  $50.  Date  of  deed,  Oct.  12, 
1799. 

Beulah  continued  to  flourish  until  A.  D.  1S05,  when  it  was  decided 
that  of  the  three  towns,  Munster,  Ebensburg  and  Beulah,  aspiring  to 
become  the  county  seat  of  the  new  county,  of  Cambria,  which  had  been 
formed  during  the  previous  year,  the  one  should  be  selected  that  was 
located  the  nearest  to  the  geographical  center  of  the  new  county.  A 
survey  of  the  territory  embraced  within  this  county  showed  that  Ebens- 
burg was  located  exactly  in  the  center,  and  it  therefore  became  the 
county  seat,  notwithstanding  that  Beulah  had  many  natural  advantages 
not  possessed  by  the  former  place.  Instead  of  being  located  on  top  of  a 
steep  hill,  it  occupied   a  valley.    A   stream  of  water  ran  through  the 


M 

place,  and  numerous,  cool,  refreshing  springs  were  in  and  around  it, 
whilst  the  adjoining  hills  were  full  of  coal  and  other  minerals.  The 
lowest  depression  ot  the  Allegheny  Mountains  is  on  the  head-waters 
of  the  stream  that  passes  through  Beulah,  and  it  is  probable  that, if 
there  had  been  an  important  county  town  located  at  Beulah  the  Penn- 
sylvania Canal  and  also  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  would  have  fol- 
lowed that  route.  In  that  event,  the  county  seat  of  Cambria  County, 
instead  of  being  a  little  country  town,  depending  upon  the  practice  in 
its  courts  for  its  main  support,  might  possibly  have  become  a  large 
manufacturing  city. 

From  the  time  that  Ebensburg  was  selected  as  the  county  seat, 
Beulah  began  to  decline.  Its  founder  and  most  influential  friend, 
Rev.  Rhees,  was  death  Many  of  its  most  active  and  energetic  citizens 
removed  from  the  place;  and,  if  anything  further  was  needed  to  an- 
nihilate it,  that  event  soon  occurred.  Capitalists,  seeing  the  immense 
amount  of  travel  along  the  Frankstown  Road,  secured  a  charter  and 
constructed  the  great  "Northern  Turnpike,"  extending  from  Huntings 
don  to  Pittsburg.  The  easy  grade  and  solid  road-bed  of  this  new 
thoroughfare  diverted  the  travel  from  the  Frankstown  road,  for, 
although  toll-gates  were  numerous,  the  increase  in  the  weight  that 
could  be  hauled,  and  the  increased  distance  that  could  be  traveled,  in 
a  given  length  of  time,  on  this  new  route,  more  than  compensated  for 
the  additional  expense  in  the  way  of  tolls.  Unfortunately  for  Beulahv 
this  new  road  did  not  pass  through  it,  leaving  it  about  one  mile  to  the 
north.  However,  there  was  still  a  little  travel  through  that  place  to 
Indiana  and  adjacent  towns,  but  even  that  was  taken  away  by  the 
construction  of  the  "Clay  Turnpike"  from  Ebensburg  to  Kittanning. 
This  road  left  Beulah  three  miles  to  the  south,  thereby  almost  isolat- 
ing it  from  communication  with  the  commercial  world. 

Justice  appears  to  have  been  meted  out  without  fear  or  favor,  and 
Sunday  laws  were  not  a  dead  letter  on  the  statute  books  in  those  days. 
From  records  of  proceedings  in  the  Court  ot  George  Roberts,  "Associate 
Judge  in  and  for  the  County  of  Somerset,"  we  discover  that  one  man  was 
fined  four  dollars  "for  carrying  a  large  bag  of  oats,  on  a  horser  through 
the  streets  on  the  Sabbath  day,  commonly  called  Sunday."  And  on  a 
number  of  other  occasions  persons  were  fined  four  dollars  for  driving" 
loaded  teams  and  wagons  on  the  Sabbath.  Also  the  law  against  profanity 
appears  to  have  been  rigidly  enforced.  I  thought  to  myself  as  I  read  the 
Dames  of  those  who  had  been  found  guilty  and  fined  in  a  Civil  Court  for 
taking  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  vain,  what  a  disgraceful  record  it  was  for 
them  to  leave  behind  them  whilst  their  bodies  lie  mingling  with  the 
dust;  but,  oh!  how  dreadful  it  will  be  when  they  shall  be  arraigned  be- 
fore the  high  court  of  Heaven   for  the  same  offense,  before  the  Great 


65 

Judge  of  the  quick  and  the  dead,  who  has  said,  "Thou  shalt  not  take  the 
name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain,  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guilt- 
less that  taketh  His  name  in  vain." 

The  graves  of  a  few  of  the  early  settlers,  who  were  buried  in  the 
churchyard,  are  marked  by  grave  stones:  among  whom  are,  Thomas  W. 
Jones;  who  died  March  14,  1808,  aged  36  years.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  held  the  offices  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Surveyor,  having  been  ap- 
pointed to  those  positions  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania.  Elizabeth 
Jenkins  died  Sept.  20,  1828,  aged  51  years;  Ann  Jones  died  Feb  2,  1832, 
aged  75  years;  Elias  Rowland  died  July  24,  1858,  aged  93  years;  Cath- 
arine, wife  of  Elias  Rowland,  died  April  24,  1840,  aged  07  years;  William 
Roberts  died  Jan.  7,  1822.  aged  51  years;  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Roberts, 
died  Sept.  24,  1850,  aged  76  years;  William  Davis  died  March  7,  1826, 
aged  63  years. 

Before  closing  this  notice  of  the  settlement,  decadence  and  abandon- 
ment of  Beulah,  I  shall  quote  from  a  letter,  written  many  years  ago  by 
Judge  George  Roberts,  who  afterwards  became  pastor  of  the  Congrega- 
sional  Church  at  Ebensburg  He  says:  "In  the  years  1794,  1795  and  1796 
quite  a  number  of  Welsh  families  emigrated  to  America  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  a  colony  in  some  suitable  and  convenient  place.  Mr. 
Rhees,  who  acted  as  their  leader,  petitioned  Congress  to  grant  them  a 
piece  of  land  for  that  purpose.  In  this  he  did  not  succeed,  and  other 
petitions  were  equally  unsuccessful.  It  seemed  as  if  Providence  closed 
every  door  against  them,  except  the  one  on  top  of  the  Allegheny  Moun- 
tains. Mr.  Rhees  formed  a  church  of  forty  or  fifty  Welsh  people,  who 
found  a  home  in  Philadelphia.  This  church  was  composed  of  an  equal 
number  of  Congregationalists,  Calvinistic-Methodi-its  and  Baptists." 

From  what  we  can  learn,  Rev.  Rees  Lloyd,  a  Congregational  minister 
who  had  recently  emigrated  from  Wales,  appears  to  have  been  a  co- 
laborer  with  Bro.  Rhees  in  supplying  the  spiritual  wants  of  this  congre- 
gation, although  he  did  not  come  with  Bro.  Rhees  to  Beulah,  he  having 
taken  a  number  of  Welsh  people  with  him  and  established  a  colony  in 
the  winter  of  1796-7,  where  Ebensburg  was  afterwards  located.  From 
the  statements  made  by  Jud^e  Roberts,  it  might  be  inferred  that 
Congress  gave  the  land  to  the  colonists  at  Beulah;  but  from  abundant 
data  in  our  possessions,  we  are  satisfied  that  Mr.  Rhees,  assisted  by 
his  friends,  purchased  the  territory.  But  even  if  we  had  no  other  evi- 
dence at  hand,  the  fact  that  this  land  belonged,  at  that  time,  to  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania  would  be  sufficient  to  prove  that  the  land  could 
not  have  been  given  to  Rhees  and  his  friends  by  Congress. 

Having  given  more  space  to  a  history  of  Beulah  than  I  intended 
doing,  I  shall  now  attempt  to  trace  the  history  of  the  Baptist  Church 
located  there. 


(if, 

I  found  it  a  difficult  matter  to  secure  accurate  information  respect* 
ing  this  ancient  church.  Almost  one  hundred  years  have  passed 
away  since  its  organization,  and  unfortunately  the  Minute  Book  and 
Church  Records  have  been  lost.  Rev.  David  Jenkins, who  was,  at  one 
time,  pastor  of  the  Welsh  Baptist  Church  at  Ebensburg,  borrowed  the 
Minute  Book  of  that  church,  which  also  contained  the  records  of 
Beulah  Church,  and  took  it  with  him  to  the  State  of  New  York.  He 
afterwards  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  died,  and  all  traces  of  this 
book  of  records  have  been  iost. 

Some  diversity  of  opinion  exists  as  to  the  date  of  the  organization 
of  Beulah  Church.  Benedict  says:  "At  Beulah,  in  the  midst  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains,  a  church  was  founded  by  emigrants  from  Wales 
in  1797,  under  the  direction  of  Morgan  J.  Rhees." 

Again,  a  Welsh  historical  magazine,  called  the  "Star  of  Gomer," 
says:  "In  1797  a  Baptist  church  was  founded  at  Beulah  upon  the 
principle  of  close  communion,  and  the  following  Articles  were  adopted 
as  the  Religious  Constitution  ot  the  new  settlement :" 

Article  I. — This  Union  shall  be  called  the  Christian  Church. 

Article  II. — It  must  never  be  called  by  any  other  name,  nor  controlled  by  any 
particular  opinions  of  any  man,  or  party  of  men. 

Article  III. — Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  head,  believers  the  only  members,  and 
the  New  Testament  the  only  rale  of  brotherhood. 

Article  IV. — In  intellectual  things,  even'  member  shall  enjoy  his  own  opinions, 
and  converse  freely  upon  any  subject;  but  in  discipline,  minute  conformity  with  the 
commands  of  Christ  is  required. 

Article  V. — Every  separate  society  that  shall  unite  with  this  Association,  shall 
have  power  to  receive  their  members,  elect  their  officers  and,  in  case  of  misconduct, 
to  discipline  them. 

Article  VI. — The  representatives  of  the  various  congregations  shall  meet  from 
time  to  time,  at  an  appointed  place,  for  consultation  in  relation  to  the  advancement 
and  prosperity  of  the  whole  cause. 

Article  VII. — In  every  meeting  for  religious  worship,  collections  shall  be  made 
to  support  the  poor  and  spread  the  gospel  in  the  midst  of  the  pagans. 

These  Articles  of  Confederation  read  more  like  those  usually 
adopted  by  a  community  rather  than  Articles  adopted  for  the  forma- 
tion of  a  church,  and  yet,  when  compared  with  the  Articles  presented 
by  that  great  apostle  of  religious  liberty,  Roger  Williams,  for  the  or- 
ganization of  his  church  and  settlement  in  Rhode  Island,  we  discover 
that  there  is,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  a  similarity  between  them. 

From  an  examination  of  Articles  5  and  6,  we  discover  that  these 
pioneers,  who  organized  Beulah  Church,  entertained  glowing  antici- 
pations respecting  the  future  greatness  and  influence  of  their  organi- 
zation.   They  seemed  to  cherish  the  idea  that  the  time  would   event- 


67 

ually  come  when  Beulah  Church  would  he  the  centre  around  which 
would  cluster  many  similar  societies,  and,  as  we  shall  learn  hereafter, 
they  made  an  earnest  effort  to  make  it  such  by  sending  out  mission- 
aries to  preach  the  Gospel  in  nearly  all  parts  of  our  State.  The  Lord 
manifoldly  blessed  the  labors  of  these  missionaries,  resulting  in  the 
ingathering  of  many  souls  into  the  fold  of  Christ;  but  the  ambitious 
desires  of  Beulah  Church  were  never  realized. 

The  first  pastor  of  Beulah  Church  was  Morgan  J.  Rhys.  He  was 
nominally  their  pastor  for  about  four  years;  but  duties  of  another  de- 
scription required  him  to  be  absent  a  considerable  portion  of  the  time. 
At  his  suggestion  the  church  extended  a  call  to  Richard  Michaels,  of 
Anglesea,  Wales.  ET,e  reached  Beulah  sometime  in  1801,  and  assumed 
the  pastorate  of  Beulah  Church ;  but  he  was  only  permitted  to  spend 
one  Lord's  Day  with  his  people.  He  only  lived  seven  days  after  his 
arrival  at  Beulah. 

The  next  pastor  was  Joseph  Powell,  of  Tonoloway;  but  as  he  was 
an  old  man  and  had  a  great  distance  to  travel  to  reach  Beulah 
Church,  he  soon  resigned. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Timothy  Davies,  who  appears  to  have  been 
their  pastor  from  the  time  of  the  resignation  of  Bro.  Powell  until  about 
a.  D.  1813.  At  all  events,  we  can  gain  no  information  as  there  having 
been  any  other  pastor  elected  until  that  time;  but  there  being  quite 
a  number  of  ordained  ministers  holding  fellowship  with  that  church, 
the  pulpit  was  frequently  occupied  by  home  talent.  The  church  was 
greatly  blessed,  and  her  numbers  and  efficiency  very  much  enlarged, 
during  the  pastorate  of  Timothy  Davies. 

In  1813,  William  Williams  was  elected  pastor,  and  in  1815,  many 
of  the  young  people  having  become  Anglicized,  and  also  persons  who 
were  not  familiar  with  the  Welsh  language  having  moved  into  the 
community,  Thomas  Williams,  an  Englishman,  who  had  recently 
been  ordained  at  Beulah,  was  elected  co-pastor  with  William  Will- 
iams, the  latter  continuing  to  preach  in  Welsh  while  the  former 
preached  in  English.  This  relation  or  co-partnershio  continued  until 
1829,  when  William  Williams  resigned.  Thomas  Williams  continued 
to  serve  as  pastor  until  1834,  when  he  also  resigned  to  engage  in  mis- 
sion work  in  the  western  part  of  the  State  under  the  auspices  of  the 
State  Convention — a  work  for  which  he  was  especially  qualified,  hav- 
ing spent  a  large  proportion  of  the  time  while  he  was  pastor  of  the 
Beulah  Church  in  visiting  destitute  parts  of  this  State. 

He  was  suceeded  by  Benjamin  Davies,  a  nephew  and  foster  son  of 
Timothy  Davies,  a  former  pastor  of  Beulah  Church.  During  the  pas- 
torate of  Benjamin  Davies,  they  built  a  meeting-house  in  Ebensburg, 
and  removed   there;     but   they  still  retained   the  name  of  Beulah 


P8 

Baptist  Church.  We  have  no  evidence  that  they  at  any  time, 
abandoned  the  work  at  Beulah,  inasmuch  as  quite  a  large  number  of 
their  most  efficient  members  continued  to  reside  at  or  near  that  place 
for  many  years  afterward,  and  about  this  time,  in  their  letter  to  Cen- 
tre Association,  they  speak  of  having  two  meeting-houses.  They  also 
continued  regular  ministrations  of  the  Word  and  ordinances  at  an 
out  station  they  had  established  in  1883  on  the  Ebensburg  and  Kit- 
ta Ding  Turnpike,  six  miles '-'west  of  the  former  place.  Afcer  passing 
through  various  trials  and  vicissitudes,  this  society  was,  in  1859,  per- 
manently organized  as  the  Bethel  Baptist  Church,  whose  fellowship 
and  hospitality  we  are  permitted  to  enjoy  during  the  present  anniver- 
sary of  Indiana  Association. 

It  was  during  the  pastorate  of  Benjamin  Davies  that  an  event 
occurred  which,  if  there  were  tears  in  Heaven,  the  bright  angels  and 
redeemed  ones  would  have  gazed  upon  in  astonishment  and  wept  over 
the  scene.  The  pernicious  teachings  of  Alexander  Campbell  had  been 
infused  into  the  minds  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  members  of  Beulah 
Baptist  Church.  Heretofore,  all  had  been  peace  and  harmony.  Their 
hearts  were  united  by  the  ties  of  Christian  fellowship  and  love.  They 
shared  each  other's  burdens  and  woes,  and  whatever  contributed  to 
the  happiness  of  one  increased  the  joys  of  all. 

How  pleasant  thus  to  dwell  below 
In  fellowship  and  love. 

But  now,  Oh,  how  changed  !  Angry  controversy  took  the  place 
of  brotherly  greeting,  and  hot  discussions  on  Baptismal  Regeneration. 
Salvation  by  WorKs  and  not  by  Faith,  "The  power  and  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  exists  in  the  Bible  and  does  not  act  directly  upon  the 
heart  of  the  sinner."  The  discussion  of  these  and  many  other  schis- 
matical  theories  was  substituted  for  prayerful  endeavors  to  promote 
God's  glory  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  These  doctrines  and  theories 
are  not  new,  similar  errors  having  crept  into  and  disruptured  many 
churches  during  the  early  centuries  of  the  Christian  era. 

There  is  a  species  of  formalism  connected  with  the  theory  and 
practice  of  the  teachings  of  Alexander  Campbellthat  render  them 
very  accceptable  to  the  carnal  mind,  because  they  open  up  an  easy 
road  to  salvation,  when  compared  with  the  road  traveled  over,  and 
described  by  that  old  fogy  Baptist  preacher,  John  Banyan,  who  pre- 
ferred to  remain  in  Bedford  jail  as  a  prisoner  rather  than  purchase 
his  freedom  by  selling  the  truth. 

Among  those  who  became  infected  with  these  heterodoxical  views 
was  Benjamin  Davies,  who  was  at  that  time  pastor  of  Beulah  Church, 
and  he  taught  these  views  from  the  pulpit.     When  remonstrated  with 


69 

by  the  ministers  who  had  grown  gray  in  the  services  of  the  Master, 
he,  like  weak,  poor,  deluded,  selt'-willed  Rehoboam,  refused  to  hearken 
to  the  counsel  of  the  old  men. 

This  spirit  of  contention  and  strife  continued  for  a  year  or  more, 
when,  finding  that  the  two  factions  could  not  do  efficient  work  so 
long  as  they  were  nominally  one  organization,  they,  in  1836,  by  mu- 
tual consent,  called  an  advisory  council  This  council  was  presided 
over  by  Rev.  George  I.  Miles.  After  hearing  statements  from  each  of 
the  contending  factions,  and  finding  it  imposssible  to  effect  a  recon- 
ciliation between  them,  the  council  recommended  that  all  those  in 
favor  of  organizing  a  Campbellite  Church  should  manifest  their  desire 
by  going  to  and  standing  up  at  one  side  of  the  meeting-house,  while 
those  who  were  in  tavor  of  adhering  to  the  old  faith  and  Baptist  prin- 
ciples should  occupy  a  similar  position  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
house. 

Some  of  the  members  of  each  faction  were  very  prompt  in  assum- 
ing their  respective  places  and  positions,  whilst  others  hesitated  about 
going  to  either  side  of  the  house.  The  Baptists  made  no  efforts  to 
persuade  any  one  to  come  with  them,  whilst  a  number  of  the  Camp- 
bellites,  among  whom  were  Benjamin  Davies,  Festus  Tibbett  and 
John  Lloyd,  Postmaster  at  Ebensburg,  were  very  active  in  their 
efforts  to  persuade  others  to  come  to  their  side  of  the  house. 

After  all  the  members  of  Beulah  Church,  who  were  present  on 
that  occasion,  had  taken  their  places,  it  was  discovered  that  there 
were  just  fifty  persons  on  each  side  of  the  house.  There  they  stoo  1, 
gazing  into  each  other's  faces,  those  who  for  many  long  years  had 
felt  the  full  force  of  the  poet's  sentiment  expressed  in  the  eoupiet, 
Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 
Our  hearts  in  Christian  love. 

How  often  had  their  hearts  thrilled  with  joy  as  they  grasped 
each  other's  hands  and  thought  of  this  tie  that  bound  them 
to  Christ  and  to  each  other;  but  now  that  tie  was  broken,  and  an  im- 
passable gulf  lay  between  them. 

Oh,  what  a  mournful  scene!  And,  Oh!  what  a  contrast  between 
those  occupying  the  different  sides  of  the  house.  At  the  head  of  the 
column  on  one  side  of  the  house  was  seen  the  gray  heads  and  bent 
forms  of  William  Williams  and  Thomas  Williams,  both  of  whom  had 
for  many  years  served  as  pastors  of  Beulah  Church,  and  both  of  whom 
had  spent  the  best  days  of  their  lives  in  an  earnest  effort  to  persude 
others  to  accept  the  truth  in  the  love  of  the  truth.  Beside  them, 
stood  their  aged  companions,  and  mauy  others  who  had  grown  trray 
in  the  Master's  service.  Sorrow  and  sadness  were  depicted  upon  their 
countenances,  and  tears  trickled  down  their  cheeks  as  they  thought 


70 

of  the  disruption  of  the  church  they  loved  so  well,  and  of   the   aliena- 
tion of  Christian  friends  so  dear  to  them. 

At  the  head  of  the  column  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  house,  stood 
a  younger  class,  such  men  as  Benjamin  Davies,  Festus  Tibbett  and 
John  Lloyd.  A  triumphant  and  defiant  look  was' manifestly  ex- 
pressed upon  their  countenances.  They  felt  no  sorrow  for  the  dis- 
ruption of  the  church.  In  fact,  that  was  but  a  consummation  of  their 
desires,  and  a  realization  of  what  they  had  been  working  for.  Their 
effort  had  all  along  been  to  make  proselytes  from  the  Baptist  church, 
instead  of  going  out  into  the  world  to  seek  and  to  save  the  lost  and 
erring  ones.  In  doing  this,  they  were  but  following  the  usual  pratice 
and  policy  of  Campbellites  in  general. 

Proselyting  is  their  main  forte,  and  I  have  often  thought  that  the 
words  of  the  blessed  Lord,  recorded  in  the'  fifteenth  verse  of  the 
twenty-third  chapter  of  Matthew,  would  apply  with  as  m  ch  force  to 
the  Campbellites  as  they  did  to  the  persons  to  whom  they  were  ad- 
dressed nearly  1900  years  ago.  "Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  Phari- 
sees, hypocrites!  for  ye  compass  sea  and  land  to  make  one  proselyte; 
and  wheiVhe  is  made,  ye  make  him  two-fold  more  the  child  of  hell 
than  yourselves."    ' 

For  some  time  after  the  separation,  both  organizations  continued 
to  worship  in  the  same  house,  occupying  it  at  different  hours  of  the 
same  day.  Notwithstanding  this  precaution,  the  members  of  the  two 
different  organizations  would  frequently  meet  at  the  house  of  wor- 
ship, and  angry  and  unprofitable  discussions  would  arise.  The  Baptists 
growing  weary  of  this  style  of  pugilistic  Christianity  proposed  to  sell 
their  interest  in  the  church  property  for  Whatever  they  could  get  for 
it.  The  Campbellites  offered  them  $128  for  their  interest,  and  they 
accepted  it.  The  Baptists  then  built  a  small  meeting-house  on  one 
of  the  back  streets  in  Ebensburg,  where  they  could  worship  God  in 
peace.  Tliey  subsequently  erected  a  more  commodious  house  in  a 
more  central  locality  of  the  s'ame  town. 

David  Williams,  son  of  Thomas  Williams,  a  former  pastor  of 
Beulah  Church,  appears  to'have  served  as  pastor  of  this  church  for 
sometime  after  the  separation,  and  we  observe  that  in  1840,  Beulah 
Church,  David  Williams,  pastor,  with  77  members,  received  a  letter 
of  dismissal  and  recommendation  from  Centre  Association  to  unite 
with  the  Welsh  Association  of  Pittsburg. 

Shortlv  afterwards,  another  separation  •  took  place  in  Beulah 
Church.  Prior  to  this  time,  Beulah  had  been  a  member  of  Associa- 
tions using  the  Kugl'ish  language;  but  now,  since  their  union  with  the 
Welsh  Association,  all  the  Minutes  of  Associational  Anniversaries, 
and  other  documents,  were   printed    in   the  Welsh   language.      This 


71 

was  very  unsatisfactory  to  the  English-speaking  portion  of  the  mem- 
bership. The  young  people  in  particular  were  losing  an  interest  in 
the  meetings,  and  some  of  them  were  wandering  away  and  uniting 
with  churches  of  other  denominations.  In-order  to  retain  this  por- 
tion of  their  membership,  it  was  deemed  best  that  they  should  form 
two  separate  and  distinct  organizations.  They  were  therefore  divided 
into  what  was  known  as  the  Welsh  and  the  English  churches.  The 
Welsh  Church  retained  the  name  oi  Beulah  and  the  English  adopted 
the  name  of  the  Ebensburg  Baptist  Church.  This  separation  was  ef- 
fected on  the  most  amicable  terms,  everyone  believing  it  to  be  for  the 
best.  The  Welsh  Church  retained  the  meeting-house,  but  they  as- 
sisted the  English  Church  in  erecting  a  house  of  worship. 

Richard  Roberts,  who  was  pastor  of  Beulah  Church  at  the  time 
the  two  branches  were  formed,  continued  to  serve  as  pastor  of  the 
Welsh  Church  until  his  death,  he  having  been  killed  by  the  limb  of  a 
tree  falling  upon  him.  He  was  succeeded  by  David  Jenkins,  followed 
by  Evan  Thomas  and  others. 

Thomas  Williams,  Thomas  E.  Thomas  and  Samuel  Furman  were 
successively  pastors  of  the  English  or  Ebensburg  Church.  The  mem- 
bers of  this  church  were  very  poor  in  this  world's  goods;  but  the  Lord 
poured  out  spiritual  blessings  upon  them  so  long  as  they  continued 
faithful  to  the  cause  under  which  they  had  enlisted.  Unfortunately^ 
the  attention  of  some  of  the  brethren  became  engrossed  with  the 
spirit  manifested  and  principles  taught  by  the  churches  of  the  now 
extinct  Coneraaugh  Association,  an  organization  mainly  built  upon 
the  platform  of  "No  fellowship  with  slave-  holders,"  and  as  others  of 
the  membership  differed  with  them  in  regard  to  this  matter  it  created 
dissensions  that  deprived  the  church  of  its  influence  and  usefulness. 
This  left  the  church  in  a  languishing  condition,  and  had  it  not  been 
for  the  vitality  that  existed  in  an  out-station,  where  they  had  built  a 
meeting-house,  called  the  North  Church,  now  known  as  Bethesda, 
the  probability  is  that  the  Ebensburg  Church  would  have  become 
extinct. 

Early  in  its  history  Beulah  Church  united  with  the  Redstone 
Baptist  Association,  whose  territory  lay  in  the  southwestern  part  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  same  territory  that  is  at  present  occupied  by  Mo- 
nongahela,  Ten  Mile,  Pan  handle  and  Pittsburg  Associations. 

In  1824,  Beulah  withdrew  from  Redstone  Association,  and  united 
with  the  Juniata  Baptist  Association  because  the  latter  was  more 
accessible.  It  at  that  time  reported  96  members,  Thomas  Williams 
and  William  Williams,  joint  pastors.  Among  the  delegates  from 
Beulah  to  that  anniversary  was  Thomas  E.  Thomas,  licentiate.  How- 
ever, he  was  ordained  at  Beulah  sometime  during  the  same  year. 


72 

At  the  next  session,  held  with  the  Mill  Creek  Church,  Beulah  wa» 
honored  by  one  of  their  pastors,  Thomas  Williams,  being  elected 
Moderator  of  Juniata  Association. 

On  the  15th,  16th  and  17th  days  of  October,  1829.  Juniata  Associa- 
tion held  its  annual  anniversary  with  the  Beulah  Baptist  Church  at 
Beula.  Among  the  visitors  present  on  that  occasion  was  Rev.  John 
Thomas,  half  brother  of  Dr.  Shadrach,  representing  Redstone  Associa- 
tion. Rev.  William  Shadrach,  who  was  then  quite  a  young  man,  and 
who  had  been  ordained  at  Mt.  Pleasant  during  the  previous  year, 
was  there  also,  and  he  preached  before  the  Association  on  Friday, 
October  16th,  from  Col.  i.  28.  And  doubtless  the  mother  of  these  two 
boys,  Mrs.  Mary  Shadrach,  was  there  also  for  before  the  organization 
of  Two  Lick  Baptist  Church,  she  was  a  member  of  and  a  frequent 
worshipper  at  Beulah  Church.  I  imagine  that  her  heart  would  be 
filled  with  a  mother's  pride  and  emotion  when  she  saw  her  "Will 
Bach,"  or  dear  little  Willie,  as  she  affectionately  called  him,  thus 
honored  by  being  so  prominently  brought  before  such  an  august  as- 
sembly. 

Beulah  Church  was  a  member  of  Juniata  Association  tor  a  period 
of  ten  years,  and  during  that  time  it  reported  Thomas  Williams  and 
William  Williams  as  joint  pastors,  and  it  also  reported  eight  others, 
namely,  William  Tibbett,  Benjamin  Tibbett,  Benjamin  Davies,  Fes- 
tus  Tibbett,  John  J.  Evans,  John  Jones,  William  Roberts  and  Thomas 
E.  Thomas  as  ordained  ministers  holding  their  fellowship  in  that 
church. 

In  1834,  Benlab  Church,  with  51  members,  withdrew  from  the  Ju- 
niata Association  and  united  with  the  Centre  Association,  that  being 
the  fourth  anniversary  of  that  body. 

In  tracing  the  history  of  Beulah  Church,  we  find  that  from  its' 
very  organization  it  was  emphatically  a  missionary  church,  and  as 
such  in  strong  contrast  with  many  of  the  churches  with  which  ifc 
affiliated  whilst  it  was  a  member  of  Redstone  and  Juniata  Associations. 

To  be  ordained  at  Beulah  Church  meant  go  out  into  the  world  and 
preach  the  gospel  in  destitute  places.  The  sons  of  Beulah  visited 
nearly  all  parts  of  our  beloved  State,  preaching  the  gospel  and  baptiz- 
ing thousands  of  believers  into  fellowship  with  Christ  Jesus,  What  if 
even  the  site  of  Beulah  City  and  Beulah  Church  be  scarcely  known, 
yet  they  accomplished  a  grand  and  noble  work  in  their  day  and  gen- 
eration, laying  broad  and  deep  the  foundations  of  numerous  flourishfng 
and  permanently  established  churches,  occupying  territory  as  far  west 
as  Pittsburg,  and  as  far  east;  as  the  central  counties  on  the  Maryland! 
border  line-. 


73 

In  the  territory,  at  present  embraced  within  the  limits  of  Indiana 
Association,  they  laid  the  foundation  and  organized  Two  Lick  Baptist 
Church,  and  assisted  in  building  up  her  outstations,  some  of  which 
subsequently  became  and  are  at  the  present  time  flourishing  church 
organisations.  They  also  extended  their  missionary  work  along  the 
Chestnut  Ridge  and  Laurel  Hill  in  Indiana  County,  and  they  estab- 
lished a  church  called  the  Black  Lick  Baptist  Church,  among  the 
Sr.ephenses  and  Barcklays,  near  the  present  site  of  Dilltown.  That 
church  was  subsequently  removed  to  Mechanicsburg.  Indiana  County, 
taking  the  name  of  the  Brush  Valley  Baptist  Church.  However, 
Baptist  sentiment  permeates  the  whole  neighborhood,  where  this 
■church  was  originally  located,  and  it  is,  therefore,  a  promising  field  for 
missionary  labor,  and  as  such  it  should  be  cultivated  by  our  own 
Association. 

In  speaking  of  this  Black  Lick  Church,  we  must  not  get  confused 
by  supposing  it  to  be  the  same  church  that  is  at  present  known  by 
that  name.  The  present  Black  Lick  Church  was  organized  in  1861, 
and  it  is  located  at  a  point  at  least  25  miles  distant  from  the  place 
where  the  original  Black  Lick  Church  was  established,  and  it  never 
had  any  connection  with  the  original  church  of  that  name. 

In  those  early  days,  the  compensation  awarded  to  a  pastor  was 
•exceedingly  small,  and  a  member  of  a  church  who  contributed  one  or 
'two  dollars  towards  the  pastor's  salary  was  regarded  as  being  un- 
necessarily extravagant  in  that  direction.  The  labor  of  those  early 
pioneer  preachers  was,  to  a  great  extent,  a  labor  of  love.,  and  they,  like 
the  great  apostle  to  the  Gentiles,  depended  upon  the  labor  of  their 
hands  for  their  main  support. 

But  this  willingness  to  sacrifice  ease  and  comfort  for  the  sake  of 
•enjoying  religious  privileges  was  not  confined  to  the  preachers  alone. 
The  people  were  in  earnest  in  ttaevr  profe?sion  of  religion  in  those  days 
and  they  did  not  hesitate  to  undertake  what  would  be  Tegarded  as 
herculean,  if  not  impossible,  tasks,  by  people  of  the  present  generation, 
in  order  to  enjoy  their  privileges  and  discharge  their  duties  as  Chris- 
tians. Where  could  we  find  sisters  now-a-days  who  would  be  willing 
to  attempt  to  do  as  Mary  Shadrach  very  often  did,  walk  from  Two 
Lick  to  Beulah,  over  rough  roads,  a  distance  ot  nearly  twenty-five 
miles,  in  order  that  she  might  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  sanctuary. 
Another  of  these  earnest,  self-sacrificing  sisters  was  "Old  Kitty  Rees," 
as  she  was  familiarly  called,  who  used  to  walk  from  the  "Broad  Ford- 
ing," where  Coheville  is  now  located,  to  Beulah,  a  distance  of  over  3ft 
miles,  and  she  was  always  present  on  every  -com'iiMiniQP  occasion. 


•71 


Family  Records. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Rhees    Family. 

I.  John  Rhys,  of  Graddfa,  Llanfabou,  Glamorganshire,  Wales, 

had  a  son  named  Morgan  John  Rhys. 

II.  Rev.  Morgan  John  (Rees)  Rhees,  married  Ann  Loxley;  had 

son    , 
III.  1.    JoluuLoxley  Rhees,  married  Rebecca  McElwee;  had 

IV.  a.    Rebecca  Ann  Rhees,  died  unmarried* 

iy.  ,     b.     Catharine  Loxley  Rhees,  living  unmarried. 

IV.     .   .       c.     Lily  Rhees,  died  unmarried. 
IV.  .    <1<    Ellen  Duval  Rhees,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  e.     Dr.  Morgan  John  Rhees,  married  Charlotte  L.  Head 

IV.     ,-         f.     Rev.  Henry  Holcombe  Rhees,  married  Hetty  Par- 
sons. 
IV.  g.     Alice  Bunting  Rhees,  married  Edw.  Parsons. 

'  r"l,  <  '■    j2 

III.  2.     Dr.    Benjamin    Rush   Rhees,   married  Margaret    Grace     t>fa. 

IUiDui;  had 
IV.  ,  h;     Henry  Shippen  Rhees,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  i.     Ann  Loxley  Rhees,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  ).    William  Jones  Rhees,  married  Laura  O.  Clarke 

"       ••";'.      "  "        Romenia  F.  Ellis. 

III.  3.     Mary  Rhees,  married  Rev.  Timothy  Jackson;  had 

IV  k.    Anna' Rhees  Jackson,  married  Chas.  W.  Atkinson. 

"  "  "  "        Bpnj.  A.' Stevens. 

IV.  1.  '  Martha'Jackson,  married  J.  V.  W.  Montague. 

IV.  m.     Col.  James  Jackson,  married  Ida  Beach. 

41  "  ""    '  "        Ella  Green. 

IV.  n.    Jane  Jackson,  married  Irving  Card. 

III.  4.     Morgan  John  Rhees,  married  Grace  Wallis  Evans;  had 
IV.  o.    Benj.  Rush  Rhees,  died  unmarried. 

IV  p.    John  Evans  Rhees,  married  Anne  H.  McCutchen 

IV.  q.     Mary  Erwin  Rhees,  married   Chas.  G.  Hammond. 


IV  r.     Annie  E.  Rhees,  married  Isaac  H  Seelye. 

III.  5.     Eliza  Rhees,  married  Rev.  Nicholas  Murray;  had 

IV.  s.     Elizabeth  C.  Murray,  died  unmarried. 

TV.  t     John  M.  Murray,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  u.     Wm  W.  Murray,  dted  unmarried. 

IV.  v.     Ann  Rhees  Murray?,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  w.     Mary  Jones  Murray,  married  Henry  L.  Butler. 

IV.  x.     Rosa  Murray,  living  unmarried. 

IV.  y.     Nicholas  Murray,  living  unmarried 

IV.  z..    Margaret  Murray,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  2a.    Catharine  L.  Murray,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  2b.     Thos.  C.  Murray,  died  unmarried. 

IV.  e.     Dr.  Morgan  John  Rhees  and  Charlotte  Head  had 

V  a.     Morgan  J.  Rhees,  living  unmarried. 

V.  b.    Joseph  L.  Rhees,  living  unmarried 

IV.  £     Rev.  Henry  H.  Rhees  and  Hetty  Parsons  had  no  children. 

IV.  g.     Alice  B.  Rhees  and  Edward  Parsons  had 

V.  c.     Prof.  Frank  Parsons,  living  unmarried. 

V.  d.     Hattie  R.  Parsons,  married  James  F.  Griffin. 

V.  e.     Loxley  R.  Parsons,  living  unmarried. 

TV.  j.     Wm,  Jones  Rhees  and  I/aura  O  Clarke  (1st  wife)  had 

V.  f.     Frances  A;  Rhees,  married  Jos.  TJ.  Burket. 

IV.  j.     Wm.  Jones  Rhees  and  Romenia  F.  Ellis  (2d  wife)  had 

V.  .      g.     William  Henry  Rhees,  living  unmarried. 

V.  h.     Charles  F.  Rhees,- died  unmarried. 

V.  i.     Grace,  ty.  Rhees,  living  unmarried. 

V.  .      j.    Flora  G- Rhees,  living  unmarried. 

V.  k.     Benj.  Rush  Rhees,  living  unmarried. 

IV.  k.     Anna  Rhees  Jackson  and  Chas.  W.  Atkinson  had 

V.  1.     Mabel  Atkinson,  living  unmarried. 

V.  ,  m.     Anna  M   Atkinson,  died  unmarried. 

V.  n.    Joseph  H.  Atkinson,  living  unmarried. 

V.  o.     Lizzie  M.  Atkinson,  married. 

IV.  1.     Martha  Jackson  and  J.  V.  W.  Montague  had 

V.  p.     Mary  L.  Montague,  living  unmarried. 

V.  q.     Richard  W,  Montague,  married  Ellen  A.  Burton. 

V.  r.     Carrie  R.  fylontague,  living  unmarried. 

V.  s.    Jennie  E.  Montague,  married  RoWell  S.  Lamson. 

V.  t.    James  J.  Montague,  living  unmarried. 

IV.  m.     Ool,  James  Jackson  and  Ida  Beach  had 


V.  u.    Rhees  Jackson,  living,  unmarried. 

V.  v      Marion  B.  Jackson,  living,  unmarried. 

IV.  p.     John  Evans  Rhees  and  Anne  H.  McCutchen  had 

V.  y.     Lillie  G.  Rhees,  married  Edw.  St.  John. 

V.  w.     Rev.  Rush  Rhees       ^£- 

V.  x.     Carrie  Rhees,  died,  unmarried 

IV  q.     Mary  Erwin  Rhees  and  Chas.  G.  Hammond  had 

V.  z     Annie  R.  Hammond,  married  Chas.  H.  Warren. 

V.  aa.     Mary  G.  Hammond,  died,  unmarried. 

IV.  s     Annie  E.  Rhees  and  Isaac  H.  Seelye  had 

V.  bb.     Carrie  M.  Seelye,  died,  unmarried 

V.  cc.     Frank  R.  Seelye,  married  Florence  V.  Hess. 

TV.  av.     Mary  Jones  Murray,  married  Henry  L.  Butler;  had 

V.  dd.    Nicholas   Murray  Butler,  married    Susanna   F 

Schuyler. 

V.  ee.     Henry  M.  Butler,  married  Carrie  Kenny. 

V.  ff.     Wm.  C.  Butler,  married  Eleanor  E.  Hughes. 

V.  d      Hettie  R.  Parsons  and  James  F.  Griffin  had 

VI.  a.    James  B.  Griffin,  living,  unmarried. 

VI.  b.     John  A.  Griffin,  living,  unmarried 

VI.  c.     Frank  L.  Griffin,  living,  unmarried. 

V.  f.     Frances  A.  Rhees  and  Joseph  U.  Burket  had 

VI  d.    Frances  Burket,  living,  unmarried. 

V.  y.    Lillie  G   Rhees  and  Edward  St.  John  had 

VI.  c.     Morgan  Rhees  St.  John,  living,  unmarried. 

VI.  f.    Ancel  St  John,  living,  unmarried. 

VI.  g     Grace  E  St.  John,  living,  unmarried. 

V.  bb.    Frank  Rhees  Seelye  and  Florence  V.  Hess  had 

VI.  h.     Grace  H.  Seelye,  living,  unmarried. 

VI.  i.     Merritt  B.  Seelye,  living,  unmarried. 

VI.  j.     Carrie  H.  Seelye,  living,  unmarried. 

V.  dd.     Nicholas  Murray  Butler  and  Susanna  E.  Schuyler  had 

VI.  k.    Sarah  S.  Butler,  living,  unmarried. 

V.  ee.     Henry  M.  Butler  and  Carrie  Kenny  had 

VI.  I.    Mary  M.  Butler,  living,  unmarried. 

VI.  m.     Rosa  M.  Butler,  living,  unmarried. 

VI.  n.     Henry  L.  Butler,  living,  unmarried. 

C.  Butler  and  Eleanor  E.  Hughes  had 
Wm  C.  Butler,  living,  unmarried. 


77 


Loxley  Family. 


I.  Ben  jamin  Loxley,  married  Catharine  Cox;  had 
II.     1.  Elizabeth  Loxley,  died  unmarried. 
II.    2.  Mary  Loxley,  died  unmarried. 

II.    3.  Jane  Loxley,  married  Samuel  Clarke. 

II.    4.  John  Loxley,  died  unmarried. 

II.    5.  Catherine  Loxlev,  died  unmarried. 

II.    6.  Stephen  Loxley,  died  unmarried. 

II.     7.  Elizabeth  Loxley,  married  Lloyd  Jones. 

II.    8.  John  Loxley,  died  unmarried. 

II.    9.  Catherine  Loxley,  married  John  Smith. 

II.  10.  Ann  Loxley,  married  Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhees. 

II.  11.  George  Washington  Loxley,  married  Ann  Taylor. 

II.  12.  Catherine  Loxley,  died  unmarried. 

II.  3.    Jane  Loxley,  married  Samuel  Clarke;  had 

Elizabeth  B.  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 
Catherine  L.  Clark,  died  unmarried, 
Mary  J.  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 
William  Jones  Clark,  died  unmarried. 
Robert  J.  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 
Israel  L.  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 
Eliza  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 
Uselma  A.  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 
Marian  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 
Lloyd  M.  Clarke,  died  unmarried. 

II.    7.     Elizabeth  Loxley,  married  Lloyd  Jones;  had 

III.  11.        Benjamin  Loxley  Jones,  died  unmarried. 
Eleanor  Jones,  married  Edw.  Duval. 
Susan  F.  Jones,  died  unmarried. 
Henry  Jones,  died  unmarried. 
Elizabeth  B.  Jones,  died  unmarried. 
Rebecca  Ann  Jones,  died  unmarried. 
Charlotte  Jones,  married  Cyrus  T  Smith. 
Catherine  L.  Jones,  died  unmarried. 


III. 

12. 

III. 

13. 

Ill 

14. 

TIL 

15. 

III. 

16. 

III. 

17. 

III. 

18. 

II     9.     Catherine  Loxley  married  John  Smith  ;  had 
III.  19.        Cyrus  T.  Smith  married  Charlotte  Jones. 
III.  20.        Benjamin  L.  Smith  died  unmarried. 
'III.  21.        Henry  D.  Smith  died  unmarried. 

II.  10.     Ann  Loxley  married  Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhees;    had 
III.  24.        Mary  Rhees  married  Rev.  Timothy  Jackson. 
III.  25.        Morgan  J.  Rhees  married  Grace  Evans. 
III.  23.        Benjamin  Rush  Rhees  married  Margaret  G.  Evans, 
III.  22.        John  Loxley  Rhees  married  Rebecca  McElwee. 
III.  26.        Eliza  Rhees  married  Rev.  Nicholas  Murray. 

III.  22.    John  Loxley  Rhees  married  Rebecca  McElwee. 

(See  III.  1.  Rhees  family). 
III.  23    Dr.  Benj.  Rush  Rhees  married  Margaret  G.  Evans. 

(See  III.  2.  Rhees  family). 
III.  24.     Mary  Rhees  married  Rev.  Timothy  Jackson. 

(See  III.  3.  Rhees  family.) 
III.  25.     Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhees  married  Grace  Evans. 

(See  III.    4.     Rhees  family.) 

III.  26.     Eliza  Rhees  married  Rev.  Nicholas  Murray. 

(See  III.    5.     Rhees  family.) 

II.  11.     George  Washington  Loxley  married  Ann  Taylor;  had 

III.  27.     Rev.  Benjamin  Reed  Loxley  married  J.  Hopkins;   had 

IV.  12.        Ann  Rhees  Loxley  married  Rev.  Robert  Lowry. 
IV.  13.        Elizabeth  Jones  Loxley  married  Henry  B.  Moore, 

(First  husband). 
IV.  13.        Elizabeth  Jones  Loxley  married  James  M.  Taylor. 

(Second  husband). 
IV.  14.        George  Boardman  Loxley,  died  unmarried. 
IV.  15.        Benjamin  Ogden  Loxley  married  Tacie  A.  Evans. 

(First  wife). 
IV.  15.        Benjamin  Ogden  Loxley  married  Tacie  Morgan. 
(Second  wife). 
III.     12.     Eleanor  Jones  married  Edward  Duval ;  had 
IV.     1.        William  Jones  Duval. 
IV.    2.        Marcellus  Duval. 

IV.     3.        Gabriel  B.  Duval  married  Julia  Nesbit. 
IV.    4.        Oetavia  Duval  married  R.  C.  W.  Radford. 
III.     17.     Charlotte  Jones  married  Cyrus  T.  Smith;  had 
IV.    5.        William  Jones  Smith,  died  unmarried. 
IV.     6.        Henry  D.  Smith,  married. 
IV.    7.        Lloyd  Smith,  died  unmarried. 
IV.    8.        Cyrus  T.  Smith,  married. 


79 

TV.    VI.        Gertrude  Smith,  died  unmarried. 
TV.  10.        Usehna  O.  Smith  married. 
TV.  11.        Lloyda  Smith  died  unmarried. 
III.     19.     Cyrus  'I'.  Smith,  married  Charlotte  Jones. 

(See  III.     17.     Loxley  family). 
TV.     15.     Benjamin  O^den  Loxley,  married  Tacie  A.  Evans;  had 
V.     1.        Charles  Evans  Loxley,  married. 
V.     2.         Morris  James  Loxley,  married.* 

*The  records  of  the  Rliees  and  Loxley  families  were  sent  me  by  Mr.  William  J. 
Rhees,  Smithsonian  Institution,  Washington,  D.  C.  In  his  note  to  me,  dated  Wash- 
ington, October  3d,  1898,  he  says:  "I  have  at  last  completed  a  list  of  the  descendants 
•of  Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhees,  and  hope  it  will  be  of  service  to  you  *  *  *  I  have 
•omitted  dates  of  births,  deaths  and  marriages  to  save  space.     Yours  truly, 

Wm.  J,  Rhees. 


80 


L_owry  Family, 


Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhees,  St.,  married  a  daughter  of  Col.  Benja- 
min Loxley  (probably  in  Philadelphia),  who  was  an  officer  in  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

Some  ot  the  children  of  Col.  Benjamin  Loxley  were: 

1.  Geo.  Washington  Loxley,  whose  wife's  name  was  Ann  Tay- 

lor and  who  died  in  Philadelphia  in  1865,  at  the  age  of  86. 

2.  Ann,  who  married  a  Rhees. 

3.  Jane,  who  married  a  Clark. 

4.  Betsey,  who  married  a  Jones. 

From  George  Washington  Loxley  came  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Lox- 
ley, who  married  Mary  Jackson  Hopkins,  and  who  died  in 
Philadelphia,  in  1865. 

From  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Reed  Loxley  came; 

1.  Anna  Rhees  Loxley. 

2.  Elizabeth  Jones  Loxley. 

3.  George  Boardman  Loxley,  died. 

4.  Benjamin  Ogden  Loxley. 

Anna  Rhees  Loxley  was  married  to  the   Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  and 

died  in  1890. 
From  the  Rev.  Robert  Lowry  and  Anna  Rhees  Loxley  came: 

1.  Rev.  Harry  Moore  Lowry. 

2.  Wheaton  Smith  Lowry. 

3.  Robert  Hanson  Lowry,  and  two  who  died  In  infancy. 
From  the  Rev.  Harry  Moore  Lowry  and  Mary  McAnale  came; 

1.     May  Lowry.  who  died. 
From  Robert  Hanson  Lowry  and  Lizzie  Darling  came: 

1.  Clarence  Loxley  Lowry,  who  died. 

2.  Edith  Elizabeth  Lowry. 

Plainfield,  New  Jersey,  September  19th,  1898.    Rev.  Robert  Lowry,  D.  D, 


81 


Morgan  John  Rhees,  Jr.,  D.  D. 


CHAPTER   XT. 

"Morgan  John  Rhees,  Jr  ,  D.  D.,  was  born  at  Somerset,  Pa.,  Oct. 
25,  1802.  On  reaching  twenty-one  he  studied  law  under  the  celebrated 
David  Paul  Brown,  of  Philadelphia,  and  after  being  called  to  the  bar  he 
soon  secured  a  respectable  standing  in  his  profession.  In  1827  the 
Saviour  found  him,  and  'chosen  of  him  ere  time  began,  he  chose  him  in 
return,'  and  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  First  Baptist  Church 
of  Philadelphia.  He  wa^  ordained  in  September,  1829.  His  first  fields 
of  labor  were  Bordentown  and  Trenton,  New  Jersey.  While  in  New 
Jersey  he  assisted  in  the  formation  of  the  State  Convention  for  Missions, 
and  was  its  Secretary  from  its  organization  until  he  left  the  state.  In 
1840  he  accepted  the  invitation  of  its  Board  to  become  Corresponding 
Secretary  of  the  Baptist  Publication  Society.  In  February,  1843,  he  took 
charge  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church  of  Wilmington,  Delaware;  of  this 
church  he  retained  the  oversight  for  seven  years,  during  which  he  bap- 
tized nearly  300  persons.  In  1850  he  became  pastor  of  the  First  Church 
of  Williamsburg,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  January  15,  1853.  He  received 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  the  University  of  Rochester  in 
1852.  Dr.  Rhees  was  greatly  blessed  in  every  pastorate,  and  he  rendered 
valuable  services  to  the  Publication  Society.  His  calls  to  churches  seek 
ing  the  best  gifts  were  numerous.  He  had  a  fine  intellect,  the  polish  of 
a  gentleman,  the  courage  of  a  brave  man,  the  piety  of  a  saint,  and  the 
tenderness  of  a  woman.  He  was  loved  by  many  hundreds  while  he 
lived,  and  his  memory  is  still  revered  by  the  churches  for  which  he 
labored,  and  by  many  admiring  friends  "  (Rev.  W.  Cathcart,  D.  D.,  in 
''the  Baptist  Encyclopedia.") 

Dr.  R.  B.  Cook,  in  his  history  of  the  Delaware  Baptists,  in  his  refer- 
ence to  Dr.  Rhees'  pastorate  of  the  Second  Church,  Wilmington,  says: — 
"For  seven  years,  Rev.  Morgan  J.  Rhees,  D.  D.,  was  their  pastor,  dur 
ing  whose  pastorate  the  church  reached  a  membership  of  four  hundred, 
and  showed  great  liberality  in  their  contributions  to  the  various  objects 
of  benevolence.  One  year  they  report  one  thousand  dollars  contributed 
for  benevolence  abroad.  Besides,  they  became  self-sustaining,  giving  up 
voluntarily  the  aid  extended  them  by  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mis- 
sion Society.  In  1848, while  pastor  here,  Dr.  Rhees  was  made  Moderator 
of  the  Philadelphia  Association." 


82 


William  Jones  Rhees,  a  grandson  of  Morgan 
John  Rhees. 


chapter  xii. 
William  Jones  Rhees. 

Smithsonian  Institution.    Born,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  13, 1830*  . 

Sim  of  Benjamin  Rush  Rhees,  M.  D.,  and  Margaret  Grace  (Evans)  Rhees, 
Grandson  of  Rev.  Morgan  John  Rhees  and  Ann  (Loxley)  Rhees. 
<  rreat-grandson  of  Benjamin  Loxley  and  Catharine  (Cox)  Loxley. 
Grandson  of  Evan  Rice  Evans  and  Grace  (Wallis)  Evans. 
Great-grandson  of  Evan  Evans  and  Margaret  (Nivin)  Evans. 
Great-grandson  of  Joseph  Jacob  Wallis  and  Elizabeth  (Lukens)  Wallis. 
Great-great-grandson  of  John  Ltjkens  and  Sarah  (Litl.ens)  Lukens. 

Maj.  Benjamin  Loxley  (1720-1801),  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
Keeper  of  the  Kind's  stores  in  Philadelphia ;  resigned  to  assist  the 
cause  of  Independence;  a  reward  was  offered  for  his  head  by  the 
British  Government;  Delegate  to  Provincial  Convention,  Philadel- 
phia, January  23-28,  1775;  organized  and  was  Captain  of  the  1st  Ar- 
tillery Company  of  Patriots  in  the  American  Army,  Philadelphia, 
Colonel  Samuel  Mifflin,  July,  1776;  marched  his  company  to  Amboy, 
New  Jersey,  July  21,  1776;  promoted  to  MaVor,  August,  1776;  at  Ger- 
mantown,  Red  Bank,  Valley  F'orge,  etc.;  Member  of  Philadelphia 
Committee  of  Safety,  1774-1776;  Delegate  to  Carpenter's  Hall  Confer- 
ence, June  18th,  1776;  made  brass  mortars,  howitzers,  traveling  shops 
and  fireworks  for  the  Continental  Army;  gave  instructions  in  the  use 
of  cannon  and  small  arms  to  the  Philadelphia  Militia  in  the  State 
House  yard;  much  of  his  property  was  destroyed  by  the  British  Army 
when  it  occupied  Philadelphia.  It  was  in  his  house,  known  as  the 
"Loxley  House,"  that  Lydia  Darrach  overheard  the  plans  of  the 
British  officers  and  communicated  them  to  Washington. 

Col.  Evan  Evans  (1732-1794),  of  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania, 
on  Committee  of  Observation  of  Chester  County  Associators,  Decem- 
ber 20th,  1774;  Member  of  Provincial  Conference  at  Carpenter's  Hall, 
Philadelphia,  June  18th,  1776,  which  appointed  and  instructed  the 
delegates  in  Congress  from   Pennsylvania   to  vote  for  independence; 


83 

Member  of  Convention,  1776,  which  framed  the  first  constitution  of 
the  State;  commanded  2d  Battalion,  Chester  County  Associators,  1776- 
1777;  at  battle  of  Trenton;  Justice  of  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Chester 
County,  April  10th,  1777;  organized  2d  battalion  of  militia  and  mane 
Colonel,  May  7th,  1777;  in  battle  of  Brandy  wine,  September  11th,  1777; 
Member  of  Pennsylvania  Assembly,  1780-1783;  Member  of  Council  of 
Censors,  1783;  Member  of  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State 
when  Franklin  was  President,  1785. 

John  Lukens  (1720-1789),  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  appointed 
Surveyor-General  for  Pennsylvania  by  the  Proprietary  Government, 
December  8th,  1761,  and  by  the  State  Council  of  Safety,  1776,  continued 
until  his  death,  1789;  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  run  the  boundaries 
of  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey  ;  and  for  extending  Mason 
and  Dixon's  Line,  1781. 

William  Jones  Rhees  was  born  in  Philadelphia  March  13tb,  1830. 
He  was  a  son  of  Benjamin  Rush  Rhees,  M.  D.,  and  Margaret  Grace 
(Evans)  Rhees.  His  father  was  an  eminent  physician  of  Philadel- 
phia, who  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Jefferson  Medical  College,  and  a 
dean  of  the  faculty.  Mr.  Rhees  is  a  descendant  of  Revolutionary 
sires  on  both  father  and  mother's  side,  and  takes  a  great  interest  in 
the  society  of  the  "Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,"  being  one  of 
the  charter  members.  Mr.  Rhees  is  a  graduate  of  the  Philadelphia 
High  School,  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  in  1852.  He 
was  active  in  school  societies  and  in  amateur  journalism.  In  1847 
he  went  to  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  and  took  a  position  as  clerk  and 
draughtsman  in  the  Holland  Land  Company's  office;  was  appointed  a 
clerk  in  the  census  office  in  Washington  in  1850,  and,  although,  only 
twenty,  had  charge  of  the  "Division  of  Social  Statistics,"  or  those  re- 
latiDg  to  religion,  schools,  libraries,  etc.,  with  a  large  force  of  clerks 
under  him. 

While  in  the  census  office  he  acted  as  Secretary  of  the  "Executive 
Committee"  of  the  United  States  on  the  Industrial  Exhibition  in 
London  in  1851,  and  had  charge  of  business  relative  to  exhibits  made 
by  Americans  in  this  first  great  World's  Fair.  In  1853  Mr.  Rhees 
was  appointed  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  Private 
Secretary  to  Professor  Joseph  Henry,  which  positions  he  held  until 
the  latter's  death.  He  continued  as  Chief  Clerk  under  Professor 
Baird,  and  under  a  special  Act  of  Congress,  and  appointed  by  Chief 
Justice  Waite  was  acting  Secretary  of  the  Institution  whenever  Prof . 
Baird  was  absent.  He  has  published  a  "Manual  of  Public  Libraries" 
which  is  still  the  standard  authority,  a  "Life  of  Smithson"  and  two 
large  volumes  of  "Documents  relative  to  the  origin  and  history  of  the 
{Sniitbsoniau  Institution,"  Guide-books  to  the   Institution   and   Mu- 


84 

seum  and  other  works.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic 
Fraternity;  Master  of  the  Lebanon  lodge;  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  Listrict,  and  Recorder  of  Washington  Commandery 
Knights,  a  Templar  for  several  years;  he  has  always  been  a  decided 
temperance  man;  one  of  the  founders  of  "Metropolitan  Division  Sons 
of  Temperance,1'  composed  wholly  of  government  clerks:  was  Grand 
Worthy  Patriarch  of  the  order;  established  "Cadets  of  Temperance," 
''Bands  of  Hope,"  etc. 

He  was  one  of  the  three  original  founders  of  the  "Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,"  and  has  held  every  office  in  it  from  Librarian  to 
President ;  also  as  delegate  to  many  national  conventions.  As  teacher 
and  superintendent  of  Sunday  Schools,  both  church  and  Miss  on,  he  is 
well  known  as  an  earnest  worker,  thorough  organizer  and  liberal  sup- 
porter. He  had  the  management  of  many  courses  of  popular  lectures, 
and  met  and  accompanied  Professor  John  Tyndall  on  his  visit  to  the 
United  States.  He  has  been  a  trustee  of  public  schools,  during  the  war 
and  subsequently,  for  the  old  Second  District,  and  also  for  the  country, 
and  had  important  chairmanships;  prepared  a  history  of  the  District 
relative  Jo  education  manuals  of  the  Board,  and  has  taken  active  interest 
in  the  erection  of  new  school  houses,  and  the  improvement  of  the  system. 
For  many  years  he  was  correspondent  on  special  topics  for  various  news- 
papers. He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant 
(Presbyterian).  Mr  Rhees  has  for  some  years  resided  in  the  suburbs  at 
his  beautiful  country  seat,  "Oakmont,"  and  on  account  of  delicate 
health,  has  not  mingled  lately  in  public  affairs,  nor  active  work  outside 
of  his  official  duties  at  the  Smithsonian.  Mr.  Rhees  has  a  large  follow- 
ing of  devoted  friends  and  admirers,  who  are  strongly  attached  to  him 
by  his  high  standard  of  honor,  his  gentle  disposition  and  his  inate 
gentility."  ( From  "The  Public  Service,"  Washington,  D.  C,  November 
26,  1891). 

Here  is  a  worthy  descendant  of  noble  ancestors.  In  a  private  letter 
to  the  writer,  dated  Washington,  D.  C,  Nov.  21, 1898,  Mr.  Rhees  says: — 
"My  proudest  distinction  is  to  have  had  such  worthy  Christian  ances- 
tors, and  to  have  humbly,  but  faithfully,  endeavored  to  follow  their 
example." 


85 


An   Appendix. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

After  having  arranged  the  materials  of  the  preceding  chapters,  and  given  them 
to  the  printer,  I  received  a  large  manuscript  from  Mr.  Wm.  J.  Rhees  (Washington), 
which  had  been  written  by  Morgan  J.  Rhees  after  he  had  landed  in  America,  in 
which,  in  the, form  of  letters  to  a  friend,  he  describes  his  remarkable  tour  on  horse- 
back through  the  South  and  the  Northwestern  Territory.  The  first  letter  is  dated  : 
"New  York,  October  21,  1794.''     It  begins  as  follows: — 

''Dear  Fkiend: — You  expect  a  long  letter  ;  I  shall  say  as  much  as  I  can  in  a 
few  words.  Time  flyeth — the  tide  of  human  affairs  will  not  wait  a  moment;  sufficient 
for  my  day  are  the  occupation  thereof.  Having  escaped  the  political  tempest  of  my 
native  country,  I  cheerfully  submitted  to  the  mercy  of  the  waves,  and  with  a  fine 
breeze  swelling  the  sails  left  Liverpool  the  1st  of  August.  In  the  greatest  dangers  I 
could  sing: 

Let  both  the  sea  and  tempest  roar, 
And  waves  drive  on  from  shore  to  shore; 
The  whole  Creation  may  be  dark, 
The  ocean  swell  like  mountains  high; 
And  murm'ring  billows  kiss  the  sky — 
Hope  is  my  anchor,  God  my  ark. 

The  voyage  turned  out  a  long  one  (73  days),  but  I  became  so  accustomed  to 
my  situation  that  I  scarcely  wished  to  see  the  shore.  I  was  fully  employed  in  read' 
ing  and  writing." 

The  most  of  this  first  letter  is  devoted  to  the  giving  of  instructions  to  any  who 
might  have  a  desire  to  emigrate  to  America.  Among  the  last  words  of  this  letter  he 
says:  "Next  week  I  intend  to  commence  ray  tour  through  the  United  States,  South 
and  Northwestern  Territories.  I  shall  endeavor  to  make  such  observations  on  the 
country,  the  laws,  customs,  manners  and  religion  of  the  inhabitants  as  will  give  you 
some  faint  idea  of  the  present  state  of  America." 

From  this  letter  we  see  thac  he  landed  in  New  York  about  October  12,  17!>4. 
It  also  shows  the  substance  and  purpose  of  all  the  following  letters,  which  we  publish, 
word  for  word,  as  they  were  written  by  their  illustrious  author.  Many  things  written 
in  these  letters  may  seem  strange  to  the  reader  as  lie  thinks  of  them  in  the  light  of 
present  sentiments  and  customs,  but  they  should  he  looked  at  in  the  light  of  the  times 
in  which  thev  were  written,  and  lead  us  to  think  of  the  marvelous  changes  and 
progress  made  within  only  a  century,  THE  AUTHOR. 


86 

(Letter  2d.) 

New  York,  October29th,  1794. 

Deab  Sir  :— I  forgot  to  mention  in  my  last,  the  pleasing  sensations  which  1 
felt  whilst  Bailing  from  Sandy  Hook  between  Long  and  Staten  Islands  up  to  New 
York — the  buildings  <>n  both  sides  the  bay,  modest  and  neat— Governor's  Island  and 
York  City  in  front,  formed  a  most  beautiful  landscape.  The  North  and  East  Rivers, 
opening  their  arms  as  it  were  to  embrace  York  Island,  as  the  beloved  spot  where  they 
intend  to  deposit  their  stores,  even  the  treasures  of  the  East  and  the  West,  the  North 
and  the  South.  Th"  whole  island,  which  is  about  15  miles  in  length,  and  on  the 
average  about  2$  in  breadth,  will,  it  is  probable,  in  the  course  of  time,  be  covered 
with  houses  and  stores  ;  upwards  of  eleven  hundred  houses  have  been  erected  this 
year,  some  of  them  very  elegant  and  commodious.  The  city  is  between  four  and  five 
miles  in  circumference,  and  contains  about  40,000  inhabitants.  The  increase  of 
population  is  almost  incredible — emigrants  from  all  parts  are  flocking  in,  consisting 
principally  of  Germans,  Irish,  French,  Scotch  and  English.  The  last,  by  what  I  can 
learn  from  them,  are  very  much  attached  to  this  city  ;  it  is  certainly  an  excellent 
situation  for  commerce,  but  the  land  in  general  throughout  the  state  is  not  easy  of 
cultivation,  being  hilly,  stony  and  heavily  timbered.  The  Chenessee  country  and 
Mime  other  parts  are  an  exception.  The  soil  there  is  deemed  very  rich,  but  the  in- 
habitants are  subject  to  agues  and  lake  fevers. 

New  Yoik  being  the  Capital  of  and  the  only  port  in  the  State  will,  of  course, 
be  the  emporium  of  a  great  extent  of  country.  When  the  Western  Posts  shall  be 
delivered  up  by  the  British,  this  place  in  a  great  measure  will  command  the  com- 
merce  of  the  lakes.  It  is  expected  that  a  conveyance  by  water  will  soon  be  obtained 
to  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi;  the  land  carriage  at  present  is  but  short,  tide  water  runs 
up  above  Albany,  which  is  160  miles  from  hence.  Thence  the  navigation  proceeds 
up  the  Mohawk  River  to  Lake  Ontario,  without  any  other  interruption  than  two  short 
portages,  one  at  the  little  falls  of  half  a  mile,  round  which  they  are  now  cutting  a 
canal,  the  other  of  one  mile  at  Fort  Stanwix,  about  one  hundred  miles  west  of 
Shenectady,  which  is  a  little  town  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk,  inhabited  chiefly  by 
low  Dutch.  The  land  on  this  river  is  generally  esteemed  good.  From  Fort  Stanwix 
they  descend  with  the  current  to  Oswego,  one  hundred  miles  more  to  the  west,  where 
the  British  hold  a  post  at  the  entrance  of  Lake  Ontario.  From  Oswego,  vessels  sail 
bo  Niagara,  Kingston  and  any  other  port  on  the  lake.  Kingston  is  a  new  town  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  Lake  Ontario,  where  the  lake  empties  itself  and  forms  the 
River  St.  Lawrence,  the  banks  of  which  are  thick -settled  down  to  Lake  St.  Francois, 
where  the  Provinces  of  Upper  and  Lower  Canada  are  divided.  This  river  is  navig- 
ible  for  vessels  of  one  hundred  tons  and  upwards  to  Oswegatche,  70  miles  from 
Kingston,  but  vessels  seldom  go  down  the  river,  as  the  fort  at  Kingston  serves  as  a 
deposit  for  all  the  public  stores,  provision  and  merchandise  for  the  upper  ports  ;  from 
Kingston  they  sail  to  Niagara  across  the  lake,  which  may  be  called  a  little  sea.  The 
mouth  of  the  Niagara  River  (between  the  fort  and  the  town  called  Newark)  is  said  to 
afford  a  safe  and  commodious  harbor,  large  enough  for  half  the  British  Navy. 

Besides  Newark,  there  are  several  important  situations  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  The  landing  places  at  each  end  of  the  portage — Fort  Erie,  the  Head  of 
Lake   Ontario,  and    York,  called   by  the    natives,  Torrento.     The   lower  lauding   or 


87 

QueeiiSton  is  about  seven  miles  up  the  river  from  Newark, where  the  vessels  discharge 
their  cargoes  and  take  in  furs,  collected  from  one  to  three  thousand  miles  back. 
Vessels  of  sixty  and  hundred  tons  unload  here,  and  the  goods  are  carried  in  wagons 
to  the  upper  landing  place  or  <  Ihippawa  Creek,  three  miles  past  the  great  tails.  From 
Chippawa,  the  merchandise  is  transported  in  Batteaux  to  Fort  Erie,  and  shipped 
thereon  hoard  of  vessels  for  Detroit  and  Michilimakinac.  You  have  no  doubt  read 
of  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  that  famous  Cataract  whose  grandeur  and  sublimity  baffles 
every  description.  Above  these  Falls  is  likewise  a  spring  emitting  a  gas  of  inflam- 
mable air,  which,  confined  in  a  pipe,  and  a  flame  applied  to  it,  will  boil  the  water  of 
a  tea  kettle  in  fifteen  minutes. 

In  these  settlements  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  has  renounced  forever  the 
power  of  taxation.  Had  they  done  this  twenty-five  years  ago  to  the  United  States 
they  would  have  spared  much  blood  and  treasure.  But  consistency  is  not  to  be  ex- 
pected in  your  Cabinet.  lam  afraid  they  never  think  of  doing  a  virtuous  act  'till 
they  are  obliged  to  do  it. 

Excuse  me  foT  this  long  digression;  the  situation  of  New  York  led  me  to  do  it. 
You  will  lie  able  from  what  1  have  said  to  form  an  idea  of  the  inland  navigation  of 
this  country.  The  river  St.  Lawrence  is  navigable  500  miles  from  the  sea  for  vessels 
of  600  tons  burthen,  and  all  the  Western  rivers  head  near  the  lakes,  so  that  in  a 
short  time  the  merchandise  of  Europe  will  be  conveyed  to  every  port  of  the  Western 
water  cheaper  than  it  can  be  carried  from  here  to  Pittsburg. 

In  forming  our  settlement  I  have  three  or  four  things  particularly  in  view — a 
healthy  situation,  an  advantageous  location  for  commerce,  a  rich  soil  and  a  good 
neighborhood.  The  internal  government  likewise  is  better  in  some  States  than 
others.  In  this  State,  Negro  slavery  is  tolerated  that  I  do  not  approve  of.  A  citizen 
preacher  has  not  the  same  privilege  with  a  citizen  cobler,  that  I  don't  like.  By  a 
strange  infatuation  several  of  the  States  to  the  southward,  and  New  York  to  the  north- 
Ward  have  enacted  that  a  preacher  shall  not  he  elected  to  any  civil  office,  legislative 
or  judicial.  This  would  be  very  right  if  the  States  paid  them,  but  the  laws  in  America 
know  no  such' men  as  the  clergy,  and  of  course  should  make  no  distinction  between 
them  and  other  citizens.  It  will  not  be  so  long;  it  was  a  stretch  of  zeal  to  banish  the 
j  lower  of  priests  from  Legislative  Assemblies,  and  as  the  toleration  of  slavery,  it 
cannot  last  long  in  any  country.  The  Day  Star  from  on  high  has  risen— the  morning 
dawns -the  sun  appears — the  remains  of  slavery  shall  be  soon  swept  from  the  new 
world  with  the  bosom  of  pure  democracy. 

1  have  been  on  Long  Island,  which  is  140  miles  in  length,  and  on  a  medium. 
about  ten  in  breadth — some  of  the  land  is  level  and  fertile,  but  a  great  deal  stony 
and  broken. 

f  took  an  excursion  of  three  or  four  days  on  the  continent ;  the  country  was  in 
many  places  picturesque  and  capable  of  great  improvements.  Mount  Pleasant,  36 
miles  from  York,  is  likely  to  become  a  place  of  some  importance.*     1  was  very  much 

*A  town  called  Sparta  has  been  laid  out  adjoining  this  place,  by  some  British 
Republicans.  It  has  a  capital  landing  place — a  natural  rock  forms  a  pier  in  the 
river  where  sloops  and  even  ships  may  load  and  unload.  It  is  to  be  wished  these 
Sons  of  Freedom  may  lie  successful  in  their  attempt  to  form  a  settlement,  but  from 
its  proximity  to  New  York,  I  am  fearful  they  will  find  it  difficult  to  establish  any 
considerable  trade  at  their  American  Sparta. 


88 

pleased  with  the  hospitality  of  the  inhabitants,  but  upon  the  whole  I  think  the  yeo- 
manry too  buckish  ;  it  is  no  harm,  they  should  know  and  feel  their  consequence,  but 
affectation  and  pride  is  despicable  in  every  character;  even  domestics  will  not  be 
called  servants.  You  cannot  offend  them  more  than  by  asking  them  "Is  your 
Master  at  home  ?"  Do  not  these  adhere  strictly  to  the  command  of  Christ,  "Call  no 
man  Master  ?" 

New  York  is  deemed  the  gayest  place  in  America.  It  is  said  the  ladies  in  the 
richness  and  brilliancy  of  their  dress  are  not  equalled  in  any  city  in  the  United 
States.  But  plumes  and  feathers,  in  my  opinion,  are  no  ornament  to  Republican 
women.  However,  they  are  not  solely  employed  in  attentions  to  dress,  but  are 
studious  to  add  the  more  brilliant  and  lasting  accomplishments  of  the  mind."  In 
company  the  other  day,  when  observing  what  madness  it  would  be  for  England  to 
run  the  risk  of  a  war  with  the  United  States,  a  lady  exclaimed:  "What!  Great 
Britain  conquer  America  !  No  ;  we  might  take  up  that  Little  Island  and  plunge  her 
into  one  of  our  lakes  !" 

If  the  American  women  have  imbibed  such  a  noble  spirit,  what  are  you  to 
expect  from  the  men  ?  There  a*re  complaints,  however,  that  New  York  abounds  with 
English  Aristocrats  and  American  Tories;  but  before  the  great  mass  of  Republicans 
they  dwindle  to  nothing.  Should  they,  according  to  their  never-ceasing  custom,  en- 
deavor to  infringe  on  the  rights  of  the  people,  the  Americans  have  only  to  place  them 
in  such  a  situation,  as  not  to  be  able  to  tyrannize  over  their  fellow-men. 

Since  the  Revolution,  the  literature  of  the  State  has  engaged  the  attention  of 
the  Legislature,  and  some  excellent  regulations  have  been  made,  so  that  it  is  expected 
in  a  short  time,  that  every  child,  poor  as  well  as  rich,  will  be  instructed  to  read, 
write  and  keep  accounts  in  the  English  tongue. 

Columbia  College,  in  this  city,  is  established  on  a  very  liberal  plan,  and  likely 
to  be  the  seat  of  scientific  knowledge.  There  are  likewise  in  the  State  many 
Academies,  which  will  no  doubt  be  the  nurseries  of  great  and  virtuous  characters. 
In  a  free  country,  the  mind,  if  not  early  corrupted,  rises  to  refined  elegance;  un- 
shackled by  superstition,  it  soars  through  universal  space,  collects  the  aetherial 
blossoms  of  Paradise,  and  forms  a  treasure  of  knowledge  superior  to  the  rubies  of  the 
East,  or  the  topaz  of  Ethiopia. 

As  to  religion  in  this  city  and  State,  I  cannot  say  much  of  it  at  present.  No 
sect  has  an  incentive  to  envy  the  other  for  superior  privileges.  Yet  there  is  not  that 
cordiality  I  would  wish  to  see  among  men  professing  to  be  the  disciples  of  the  meek 
and  humble  Jesus.  Alas!  human  nature  is  the  same  in  every  part  of  the  world,  and 
prejudice  of  education  is  not  removed  in  a  day  or  a  twelve  month,  particularly  where 
men  find  it  their  interest  to  keep  it  up.  However,  the  time  is  fast  approaching  when 
prejudice  must  yield  to  truth;  dispassionate  enquiry  supersede  intemperate  declama- 
tion, and  private  interest  give  way  to  the  public  weal. 

The  different  denominations  are  classed  under  the  names  of  English  Presby- 
terians, Dutch  Reformed,  Baptist,  German  Lutheran,  Episcopalians,  Friends  or 
Quakers,  Moravians,  Methodists,  Roman  Catholics  and  Jews.  When  Oh  !  my  friend 
shall  those  names  be  ground  to  powder  by  the  little  stone  cut  out  of  the  Mountain 
without  hands,  and  the  names  of  Christ  alone  be  mentioned  as  our  leader  to  ever- 
lasting glory?  Adieu:     I  remain  ever  yours, 

M,  J.  R. 


89 

(Letter  3d.) 

Dear  Friend:—  A  farther  description  of  the  republic  of  New  York  must  be 
omitted 'till  ray  return.  I  shall  just  inform  you  of  an  useful  institution  lately  es- 
tablished there  for  the  information  and  assistance  of  persons  emigrating  from  foreign 
countries— a  similar  society  is  formed  at  Philadelphia.  Emigrants  on  their  first 
arrival  would  do  well  to  apply  to  the  officers  of  these  humane  and  truly  philanthropic 
societies  for  such  information  as  they  may  stand  in  need  of.  The  industrious  laborer 
and  useful  mechanic  will  immediately  he  directed  where  to  find  employment,  such  as 
may  be  in  distress  will  recognize  in  every  member  of  this  fraternity  a  friend  and  a 
brother — happy  asylum  for  the  distressed  of  all  nations!  Here  the  wolf  and  the 
lamb,  the  leopard  aad  the  kid,  the  calf  and  the  young  lion  and  the  fatling  live  to 
gether,  and  a  child  at  the  head  of  a  free  government  may  lead  them  to  liberty  and 
peace. 

Oh!  that  I  could  stretch  forth  a  brother's  hand  and  draw  my  oppresed  country- 
men from  their  ecclesiastical  and  royal  prisons  to  this  hospitable  shore  that  they 
mignt  sacrifice  a  free-will  offering  in  the  temple  of  freedom  which  rises  in  the  new 
"world  magnificently  fair;  that  they  may  behold  its  collossal  pillars,  and  with 
transports  of  joy,  adore  the  universal  parent  within  its  dome.  Under  the  shade  of 
the  tree  of  Liberty,  we  may  traverse  this  continent,  and  notwithstanding  the  blast  of 
tyrants  its  branches  will  soon  cover  the  globe. 

I  march  on  and  across  the  North  river,  at  Powel's  Hook,  from  thence  through 
the  mosquito  marshes,  a  salt  meadow  about  thirty  miles  in  length  and  three  and  one- 
half  in  breadth,  which  when  properly  drained  and  improved  will  be  a  great  acquisi- 
tion to  York.  .At  present  the  hay  is  very  course  and  cannot  be  conveyed  from  the 
ground  where  it  remains  in  stacks  'till  the  frozen  hand  of  winter  binds  the  swampy 
soil.  We  crossed  over  the  ferries  of  Hakensak  and  Posaik,*  two  rivers  which  run  in 
a  serpentine  form  through  this  meadow.  Here  you  may  see  sloops  sailing  in  different 
directions  without  seeing  their  hulks.  You  might  suppose  they  were  driven  by  the 
wind  on  dry  land,  for  owing  to  the  eveness  of  the  earth,  the  rivers  are  kept  out  of 
sight  'till  you  ascend  the  hill  near  Newark,  a  neat  little  town  which  in  miniature  is 
•emblematic  of  every  thing  modest  and  sublime  in  this  rising  republic.  From  Newark 
I  proceeded  to  Elizabeth  town  where  I  rested  a  night  at  a  friend's  house  which  was 
filled  with  freedom  and  hospitality.  This  is  a  scattered  little  town  containing  about 
150  houses  and  some  public  buildings.  The  situation  is  agreeable,  and  the  soil  in  the 
neighborhood  fertile. 

From  thence  to  Scot's  Plain,  where  I  observed  a  singular  instance  of  American 
liberality.  Whilst  at  a  place  of  worship  on  Sunday,  a  company  of  Friends  (which  in 
Britian  are  more  commonly  called  Quakers)  entered  the  house  and  took  their  seats. 
I  thought  this  rather  strange,  for  in  your  country  that  sect  seldom  associate  with 
other  denominations.  I  was  still  more  surprised  when  I  heard  the  minister  of  the 
place  address  them  thus  at  the  close  of  the  service  :  "Friends,  I  am  glad  to  see  you 
here.     I  give  you  the  same  liberty  as  the  Disciples  had   in   ancient  time;  wherefore, 

*Sinee  writing  the  above,  elegant  bridges  have  been  erected  over  them.  The 
•cataract  in  the  Posaik  merits  notice.  The  descent  is  upwards  of  seventy  feet  perpen- 
dicular which  occasions  a  cloud  of  vapour  to  arise  that  adds  beauty  to  the  scene,  and. 
elevates  the  mind  of  the  admiring  traveller. 


90 

men  and  brethren,  if  you  have  a  word  of  exhortation  to  the  people,  say  <m.  A  public 
Friend  among  thera  immediately  arose  and  addressed  the  congregation  very  affec- 
tionately for  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes.  Even  Episcopalians  in  this  country  wil1 
invite  what  are  called  dissenters  to  preach  for  them  ;  but  in  America  there  are  no 
..dissenters;  the  curse  of  religious  establishments  has  been  banished  from  the  land' 
the  inhabitants  have  made  a  noble  barter ;  they  enjoy  in  its  stead  all  t he  blessings 
which  are  forever  flowing  from  the  Fountain  of  Freedom.  Free  enquiry  after  truth 
and  a  candid  investigation  of  every  subject,  is  a  natural  consequence  in  the  system  of 
equality,  here  a  man  may  do  both  without  suffering  in  his  person  or  property. 

Wherever  I  meet  with  a  pulpit  which  is  not  open  to  all  men  of  moral  conducl 
and  abilities,  I  conclued  that  Mrs.  Superstition  is  housekeeper  and  Messrs.  Prejudice 
and  Bigotry  the. doorkeepers.  What  then  !  shall  naked  Truth  dread  the  Drapery  of 
Error?  No  :  although  "her  head  is  filled  with  dew  and  her  locks  with  the  drops  of 
the  night,"  divine  lustre  shines  around  her  temple  -she  moves  on  in  the  majesty  of 
her  mind  towards  the  meridian  day  of  her  glory. 

The  vendure  and  prospect  as  I  approached  the  banks  of  the  Raritan  about  two 
miles  above  N.  Brunswick  is  not  to  be  exceeded  by  many  parts  in  Britain.  This  city 
is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  Raritan,  over  which  a  capital  bridge  is  now  build- 
ing. It  contains  near  three  hundred  houses,  a  college  and  tv.o  places  for  public- 
worship;  were  it  built  on  .the  hill  instead  of  the  low  bottom  where  it  now  stands,  it 
would  be  more  likely  to  rise  to  importance.  Every  attempt  to  make  Amboy  a  place 
of  note  has  proved  abortive,  although  it  has  one  of  the  finest  harbors  on  the  continent 
and  is  agreeably  situated  mi  a  pleasant  neck  of  land  at  the  mouth  of  Raritan. 

At  X.  Brunswick  I  left  the  Philadelphia  mad  to  the  right,  of  course,  could  not 
see  Princeton  and  Trenton— the  latter  is  at  present  the  Capital  of  the  State.  I  tarried 
one  night  at  Bight's  Town  (a  little  village)  and  proceeded  to  Bordentown,  pleasantly 
situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware.  Here  Paine  wrote  his  famous  pamphlet 
called  "Common  Sense."  After  viewing  Allison's  Academy,  where  a  great  number 
of  young  men  are  educated  in  all  the  useful  and  ornamental  branches  of  literature,  I 
pursued  my  route  to  Burlington,  lying  partly  on  an  island,  and  partly  on  the  Dela- 
ware.    Some  of  the  streets  are  spacious  and  ornamented  with  trees  regularly  arranged!. 

Before  I  quit  New  Jersey  I  must  give  you  a  summary  view  of  it.  The  lamb 
are  good,  bad  and  indifferent,  but  the  worst  is  calculated  for  good  orchards.  It  is 
reported  that  this  State  produces  •nine  of  the  best  cider  in  the  world.  I  have  drank 
some  very  good,  but  I  believe  sufficient  care  is  not  taken  to  preserve  the  apple  distiict 
according  to  their  kind  and  separate  the  sound  fiom  the  rotten.  Notwithstanding 
this  is  a  cider  country — there  are  many  of  the  first  taverns  where  you  can  procure- 
any  either  in  bottles  or  out  of  the  cask.  It  is  rather  a  disgrace  to  the  publicans  not 
to  encourage  the  sale  of  their  own  produce. 

Manufacturers  in  general  in  this  Commonwealth  are  at  a  low  ebb;  however, 
the  iron  works  arc  a  source  of  great  wealth  to  it.  The  cotton  manufactory  at 
Patterson  is  expected  in  time  to  produce  something  considerable,  but  unless  the 
State  Legislatures  and  the  Federal  Government  will  combine  their  influence  and  sup- 
port, the  British  merchant,  notwithstanding  the  present  duties  on  imports,  will 
undersell  the  American  Manufacturer.  The  difference  between  the  price  of  labor 
in  the  two  countries,  is  more  than  the  freight  and  duty  pat  together. 


91 

Tt  is  not  British  articles  that  the  Americans  have  to  dread,  bai  British  influ 
vtice,  which  will  naturally  be  imported  with  them.  It  will  creep  in  imperceptibly 
with  those  English  agents  who  have  nothing  to  lose,  but  everything  to  get  from  their 
connection  with  the  old  country. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  should,  therefore,  if  they  are  determined 
to  establish  their  independence,  si  rain  every  nerve  to  patronize  their  inanufactural 
as  well  as  agricultural  interest.  It  is  truly  surprising  that  Congress  should  be  so 
blind  to  the  welfare  of  their  country  as  to  levy  an  excise  upon  any  of  their  home 
productions.  This  bad  law  has  already  pioduced  a  kind  of  insurrection  among  the 
whiskey  boys  in  the  four  western  counties  of  Pennsylvania.  Some  argue  if  the  citi- 
zens on  thi'  sea  coast  have  to  pay  duty  on  foreign  spirits,  that  their  brethren  in  the 
remote  parts  of  the  Union  should  likewise  support  government  by  paying  excise  on 
their  own  manufactures.  This  species  t)f  reasoning  may  do  very  well  as  it  regards 
the  interest  of  a  few  individuals,  hut  as  it  respects  the  well-being  of  the  nation  it  can 
have  no  weight.     It  is  true  the  aggregate  sum  of  the  taxes   of  this    country  will    not 

amount  to  half  the  money  spent  upon  "W s  by  the  king's  household  in  England. 

It  was  therefore  a  piece  of  mischievous  madness  to  rebel  against  laws  made  by  the 
representatives  or  a  free  people.  Should  they  err  through  ignorance  or  he  misguided 
-by  undue  influence,  their  constituents  have  it  in  their  power  to  change  them  at 
pleasure.  However,  when  the  whole  truth  of  this  affair  is  known  I  expect  it  will 
appear  none  other  than  an  aristocratical  bubble,  bursting  its  vengenee  on  the  heads 
of  a  few  peaceable  remonstrants.  The  intriquersof  the  plot,  if  not  found  in  the  act  of 
•accusing  the  innocent,  will  probably  make  their  escape,  whilst  the  pure  patriots  who 
fought  and  bled  in  the  cause  of  freedom,  may  he  insulted  by  a  few  beardless  boys 
wantonly  exercising  their  authority  under  the  influence  cf  a  monarchical  minister. 
The  seed  of  aristocracy  always  produces  the  weeds  of  anarchy.  How  far  taxes — even 
upon  luxuries  may  counteract  vice  or  whether  they  retard  its  progress  at  all,  are 
questions  which  I  am  not  at  present  prepared  to  answer.  This  I  know  that  justice 
and  liberty  will  forever  proclaim  "Let  property  be  taxed*  and  all  persons  of  good 
morals  be  represented."  The  moment  we  deviate  from  this  principle,  we  verge  to- 
wards despotism;  corruption  creeps  in  like  a  snail  before  it  flows  like  a  flood;  a 
tuition  like  Britain  may  flourish  perhaps  for  a  century  or  more,  whilst  it  continues 
gradually  to  enact  laws  which  in  the  end  will  inevitably  annihilate  its  government. 
We  cannot  therefore-  he  too  watchful  in  guarding  our  rights,  for  righteousness  alone 
continues  to  exalt  a  nation.  Righteousness  is  the  basis  of  Peace,  the  protector  of 
commerce,  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  liberty,  wherefore  I  shall  remain  its  advocate. 

Burlington,  November,  1704.  M.  J.  U. 

*Shipley  saith  "In  whatever  hands  the  power  of  taxation  is  lodged,  it  implies 
all  other  powers.  Arbitrary  taxation  is  plunder  authorized  by  law.  It  is  the  sup- 
port and  essence  of  tyranny  and  has  done  more  mischief  to  mankind  than  those  other 
•  three  scourges  from  Heaven — famine,  pestilence  and  the  sword. 


92 

(Letter  4th.) 

Dear  Sib  :— My  last  letter  left  you  abruptly  at  Burlington.  I  am  sorry  I 
could  not  lead  you  to  Nassau  Hall  at  Princeton  to  view  the  college,  where  the  philo- 
sophic Smith  presides.  I  crossed  the  Delaware  at  Dunk's  Ferry.  On  entering  Penn- 
sylvania the  face  of  the  country,  I  think,  changed  for  the  better.  The  Pennsyl- 
vanians,  it  is  said,  excel  all  their  brethren  in  the  Union  in  agricultural  improvement, 
mechanical  inventions  and  manufactural  applications. 

The  citizens  of  the  United  States  cannot  in  all  things  imitate  the  Europeans. 
In  farming  the  difference  of  soil  and  expense  of  manuring  must  be  consulted.  The 
same  principles  in  the  two  countries  may  produce  different  effects  ;  new  experiments 
must  be  made,  and  the  most  successful  attempts  followed.  The  plaister  of  Paris  has 
been  introduced  with  some  success  so  as  to  obtain  immediate  crops,  but  lil.e  other 
incentives  without  proper  care  in  the  management  of  the  ground,  it  will  leave  the 
soil  weaker.  The  mixture  of  clay  with  sand,  the  more  common  introduction  of  seed, 
watering  the  meadows,  &c,  will  give  a  different  aspect  to  the  country.  A  register  of 
American  improvements,  with  the  observations  of  travelers,  would  perhaps  be  of 
greater  utility  to  the  farmer  than  cart-loads  of  European  books  on  husbandry.  Such 
books  are  doubtless  useful  and  our  countrymen,  provided  they  can  bring  laborers 
with  them,  will  not  fail  to  make  a  good  fortune  by  farming  in  America,  The  high 
price  of  labor,  and  the  difficulty  of  procuring  workmen  at  any  rate,  are  the  greatest 
obstacles  to  be  surmounted.  The  poor  and  many  of  the  rich  are  continually  migrat- 
ing to  the  westward,  where  they  can  procure  lands  cheap  and  in  a  short  time  become' 
independent.  Wages  cannot  be  expected  to  reduce  much  in  the  Atlantic  States -'till 
the  fide  of  population  cease  to  flow  over  the  Appalachian  Mountains. 

I  believe  it  is  a  general  error  among  American  farmers  to  grasp  at  too  much 
land  ;  purchasers  lay  out  their  money  in  procuring  a  greater  tract  than  they  can 
conveniently  cultivate.  The  expectations  of  getting  rich  by  the  advance  in  the  price 
of  lands  will  be  a  strong  barrier  against  reformation.  There  are  some,  however,  who 
pay  particular  attention  to  manuring  and  arranging  their  farms  into  useful  and 
elegant  order.  In  a  country  which  offers  so  many  temptations  to  the  speculating 
tribe,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  many  should  be  led  by  the  cupidity  of  their 
hearts  to  make  such  essays  towards  corruption  as  will  involve  themselves  and  the 
country  in  some  difficulties ;  like  the  miser  who  vociferates  "More  money,  more 
money  still,"  these  terrestrial  monsters  are  continually  seeking  after  more  lands. 
High  mountains  and  extensive  plains  they  hug  in  their  arms,  and  anxiously  look 
forward  for  some  new  spot,  that  they  may  pay  additional  homage  to  their  dusty  God. 

After  spending  a  few  days  in  the  township  of  Lower  Dublin,  I  passed  through 
Frankfort  to  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love.  The  country  in  its  vicinity  is  nearly  level, 
and  such  an  extent  of  it  in  a  state  of  cultivation  that  the  superior  advantages  this? 
place  possesses  over  New  York  are  readily  perceived  in  regard  to  a  fine  back  coun- 
try— vast  tracts  of  unlocated  lands,  numerous  beds  of  coal,  mines  and  mill-seats 
open  a  tine  field  for  the  industrious  and  enterprising  spirit.  The  exports  from  this 
city  are  greater  by  far  than  any  port  in  the  Union,  notwithstanding  the  malignant 
scourge  (yellew  fever)  which  visited  the  inhabitants  in  1793,  the  place  is  fast  rising 
to  eminence;  its  market,  not  without  reason,  has  been  numbered  by  travellers 
among  rhe  first  in  the  world;     the  streets  are  both  elegant  and  eligible   for  dispatch 


83 

of  business;  some  of  the  buildings  vie  in  neatness  with  the  first  in  Europe;  its  charit- 
able and  public  institutions  do  honor  to  the  American  character;  the  penal  laws 
are  an  example  of  philanthropy  to  all  mankind;  its  prisons  may  justly  be  called  a 
House  of  Reformation  and  all  the  prisoners,  manufacturers— in  it  none  can  be  idle; 
such  as  have  no  trade  are  instructed  in  some  useful  art,  whereby  they  are  enabled  to' 
support  themselves  and  even  save  money;  the  sexes  are  kept  separate;  the  time  of 
imprisonment  is  apportioned  to  the  crime;  none  suffer  death  but  for  wilful  murder; 
all  are  supplied  with  plenty  of  good  provisions  and  healthy  apartments,  but  no 
strong  liquors  will  be  admitted  within  the  walls  of  this  bettering  mansion.  Time 
would  fail  to  enumerate  the  excellency  of  its  hospitals,  libraries  and  museum,  which 
although  in  an  infant  state,  represent  the  country  under  the  simile  of  a  well-con- 
structed garden,  where  all  ths  seeds  of  virtue  have  been  sown.  They  grow  and 
Sourish  in  their  native  soil — the  soil  of  liberty. 

When  I  have  a  leisure  hour  1  attend  the  House  of  Representatives — the  build- 
ing is  modest  and  neat.  On  the  19th  the  venerable  President  delivered  his  address 
to  Congress  on  the  state  of  the  Union,  etc.  It  contained  an  unhappy  expression 
which  will  cause  a  comment  not  pleasing  to  the  feelings  of  the  first  magistrate  and 
his  friends  "Self  created  societies,"  these  were  the  objectionable  words,  and  applied 
no  doubt  to  the  Democratic  societies  in  this  country,  who  are  violent  against  the 
excise  laws — steady  in  their  remonstrances  against  Britain,  and  enthusiastic  in  their 
attachment  to  France.  The  President,  although  brave  as  Caesar  in  battle,  yet  is 
not  a  sanguinary  mar..  The  enormous  excesses  of  French  massacres  might  have 
damped  for  the  moment  his  accustomed  ardor  for  liberty.  It  is  sometimes  difficult  to 
trace  disagreeable  effects  to  their  source.  The  human  mind  generally  yields  to  the 
first  impressions,  and  sometimes,  though  not  often,  errs  through  excess  of  Philan- 
thropy. If  we  err  at  all  it  is  the  safest  side,  but  in  a  war  of  elements  like  that  of 
France,  where  a  long  arrear  of  Protestant  blood  was  to  be  avenged — so  many  ignoble 
despots  and  vagabond  priests,  to  be  reduced  to  men,  else  banished  or  destroyed. 
The  divine  thunder,  which  had  long  been  reserved  must  be  tremendous,  and  the 
electrical  shocks  which  purified  the  air  of  such  vermin,  rapid  and  severe.  What  we 
lament  most  is,  that  in  pulling  down  the  strong-holds  of  tyranny,  so  many  of  the 
first-born  sons  of  freedom  should  be  destroyed  in  the  ruins! 

But  you'll  ask  me  "What  has  all  this  to  do  with  your  account  of  Philadel- 
phia?" Much,  my  brother — in  every  respect.  What  are  improperly  called  "French 
Principles,"  prevade  the  universe  and  universal  emancipation  must  be  the  result. 
Notwithstanding  the  Americans  did  much  in  the  cause  of  freedom,  they  stumbled 
as  it  regards  the  poor  Africans  at  the  threshold  of  equal  rights.  Although  there  are 
but  few  temporary  slaves  in  this  State,  whilst  one  remains  it  will  be  a  disgrace  to  the 
country.  The  abolition  societies  are  zealous,  and  its  members  numerous.  They  in- 
tend bringing  the  important  question  to  an  issue  before  the  supreme  court  "whether 
it  be  consonant  with  the  Constitution  to  hold  any  human  being  in  bondage."  The 
Heavens  above  and  the  earth  beneath  say  no.  If  the  jury  should  say,  yes,  1  wish 
they  might  have  their  residence  for  a  few  months  with  the  Dey  of  Algiers  in  order  to 
taste  the  sweets  of  slavery.  It  would  do  your  heart  good  to  behold  the  African 
.school  with  their  place  of  worship  in  this  cily;  the  children,  considering  their  circum- 
stances, make  great  proficiencies;  they  have  certainly  equal  abilities  with  the  whites, 


94 

lint  whilst  the  prejudice  of  the  age  is  so  much  in  favor  of  the  latter,  it  will  militate 
very  much  against  mental  improvement  of  the  former. 

Literature  advances  in  this  Republic  with  its  increasing  population  and  the 
flood  of  wealth  which  continually  flows  into  the  coffers  of  the  State.  It  is  expected 
that  in  addition  to  the  present  university  and  seminaries,  schools  will  be  established 
und  supported  at  the  expense  of  the  public  throughout  the  Commonwealth. 

The  Pennsylvanians  are  convinced  that  a  republican  government  cannot  be 
.supported  without  virtue  and  knowledge  ;  ignorance  and  vice  are  always  the  fore- 
runners of  royalty  and  the  only  pillars  which  uphold  earthly  monarchy — wherever 
the  true  light  shines,  king  and  priestcraft  will  flee  from  thence,  to  the  dark  corners 
of  the  earth. 

Taul  exhorted  the  primitive  Christians  to  pray  for  kings — certainly  that  their 
eyes  might  be  opened  to  see  the  evil  of  absolute  power  ;  this  is  implied  in  the  annexed 
argument  "that  we  may  lead  quiet  and  peaceable  lives,"  a  thing  which  despots  will 
never  grant  if  they  can  help  it.  Peter  advised  the  disciples  to  "fear  God,"  before 
they  honored  "the  king."  The  best  way  to  honor  kings  is  by  telling  them  their 
faults,  and  reprove  them  for  their  folly,  as  John  the  Baptist  did  Herod.  Such  con- 
duct may  be  deemed  high  treason  in  some  countries,  but  we  have  the  command  of 
Christ  "When  persecuted  in  one  city,  flee  to  the  other." 

I  endeavored  to  prove,  before  I  left  Britain,  that  all  who  dissented  from  the 
established  religion  in  that  country,  were  persecuted  by  the  Higher  Powers,  and  that 
it  was  their  duty,  unless  they  could  obtain  equal  liberty  with  the  rest  of  their  fellow 
citizens  at  home,  to  migrate  to  that  country  where  they  might  enjoy  their  natural 
birth-right  without  fear  or  molestation  ;  I  am  still  of  the  same  opinion ;  notwith- 
standing ike  difficulties  you  have  to  encounter  in  the  way  for  the  sake  of  liberty  yon 
should  surmount  them  all ;  and  embark  for  America,  where  the  persecuted  Peim 
founded  a  city  of  refuge  for  the  oppressed  of  all  nations  ;  here  religion  has  to  dem- 
onstrate it's  efficacy  by  the  "force  of  argument  instead  of  the  argument  of  force." 

If  Christianity  cannot  be  promulgated  by  voluntary  supplies,  it  should  not  be 
supported  at  all.  The  general  custom  in  this  country  is  to  collect  after  every  sermon. 
The  Deacons  have  each  a  pole  about  6  feet  long,  at  one  end  of  which  a  velvet  bag  is 
fixed  (not  dissimilar  to  a  well  known  emblem  of  liberty);  in  this  they  receive  the 
free-will  offerings  of  the  congregation.  It  is  usual,  beside,  in  some  churches,  to  let 
their  pews;  others  have  subscriptions  for  the  support  of  their  ministers;  some  don't 
pay  their  preachers  at  all — they  think  as  the  Gospel  is  free  its  ministration  should  be 
free  also.  Nothingarians  can  have  no  occasion  to  bark  or  complain,  for  the  law 
extorts  nothing  from  their  pockets.  A  noble  country  for  misers  !  they  may  worship 
their  mammon  without  any  priest  to  consecrate  their  altars  ! 

I  roust  soon  leave  this  flourishing  city,  which  some  suppose  will  be  the  largest 
in  tine  world.  Its  inhabitants  at  present  amount  to  about  60,000  ;  formerly  they  had 
the  character  of  being  unsociable  and  less  hospitable  than  their  American  brethren. 
I  hope  they  have  felt  the  reproof  of  traveling  authors- and  are  determined  in  future  to 
excel,  if  possible,  all  others  in  acts  of  charity  and  deeds  of  mercy. 

Much  has  been  said  in  praise  of  the  New  York  fair,  but  very  little  notice  has- 
been  taken  by  writers  on  this  subject  of  the  Pennsylvania  ladies.  I  suppose  this- 
xuu-st  1m?  owing  to  the  hitter's  paying  mote  attention  to  cultivate  the  mind,  than  adorn* 


95 

their  persons,  because  they  prefer  family  economy  to  female  extravagance.  Here 
they  do  not  choose  the  foppery  of  fashion,  and  the  butterfly  frippery  of  courts— 
painting,  plumes  and  feathers  they  leave  to  Indians  and  barbarians.  "The  mind,  the 
mind  is  the  standard  of  the  man;"  and  why  not  of  the  woman? 

The  manners  of  the  Friends,  or  Quakers,  may  appear  stiff  to  strangers,  but,  in 
my  opinion,  honest  simplicity  is  far  preferable  to  polite  hypocrisy.  1  must  bid  you 
adieu ;  be  assured  I  remain  Ever  Yours,  M.  J.  R. 

(Letter  5th.) 

Baltimore,  December,  1794. 

Dear  Sir: — From  Philadelphia  I  proceeded  principally  along  the  po^t  road  to 
this  place.  Here  and  there  I  wandered  about  to  see  the  country  and  collect  useful 
information.  1  rested  the  first  night  at  Chichester  or  Marquis  Hook,  a  little  village 
on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware.  It  is  twenty  miles  from  Philadelphia  and  five  from 
Chester,  the  capitol  of  a  county  of  that  name  in  Pennsylvania,  remarkable  for  being 
the  place  where  the  First  Colonial  Assembly  met  in  1682.  It  is  a  delightful  morn- 
ing's ride  from  the  metropolis,  and  the  road  is  much  frequented  by  the  Beau  Mondi 
in  the  Spring  and  Summer  seasons. 

I  enter  the  State  of  Delaware,  one  of  the  smallest  in  the  Union,  without  having 
the  most  healthy  clime  or  fertile  soil — it  has  however  local  advantages.  Its  borders 
being  washed  by  the  delectable  Delaware  and  the  Atlantic  ocean — the  produce  of 
some  counties  in  Pennsylvania  likewise  pass  through  it  to  market. 

The  town  of  Wilmington  is  admirably  situated  on  an  eminence  between  Chris- 
tiana and  Brandywine  Creeks  from  whence  you  have  a  magnificient  view  of  the 
merchantmen  and  other  vessels  traversing  the  Delaware  to  and  from  the  ocean.  The 
town  abounds  with  French  emigrants  from  the  West  Indies,  etc.  Most  articles  are 
as  dear  as  at  Philadelphia.  The  mills  on  Brandywine  (thirteen  in  number)  justly 
merit  the  notice  of  travellers,  as  they  are  ranked  with  the  first  in  the  world.  The 
mechanical  0.  Evans,  has  exceeded  all  the  millwrights  in  his  inventions  to  spare 
manual  labor.  From  the  sloop's  deck  to  the  upper  loft — the  screen  and  the  binn,  his 
machinery  will  convey  the  wheat  with  the  touch  of  a  finger.  It  progresses  through 
the  whole  process  of  millery  as  it  were  by  a  perpetual  motion;  then  descends  in  fine 
flour  to  the  hold  of  the  vessels,  which  conveys  it  to  different  parts  of  the  world  to 
support  some  virtuous  republicans  and  many  ungrateful  aristocrats.  Here  are 
ubout  300,000  bushels  of  wheat  and  corn  ground  annually,  but  if  constantly  supplied 
with  grain  they  are  supposed  capable  of  grinding  400,000.  I  passed  through  Chris- 
tiana, another  little  town  which  stands  on  the  ascent  of  a  hill  commanding  a  fine 
prospect,  to  Pencader,  so  called  after  a  place  of  the  same  name  in  Carmarthenshire, 
South  Wales.  This  is  part  of  the  Welsh  tract  formerly  inhabited  by  some  of  our 
countrymen.  There  are  but  few  even  of  their  descendants  there  at  present.  The  soil 
was  perhaps  too  poor  for  them  to  procure  a  comfortable  subsistence;  they  have 
removed  to  the  South  and  West,  and  scattered  over  the  continent.  An  old  Welsh 
gentleman  who  resides  here,  and  has  travelled  over  all  the  Atlantic  States  has  given 
me  a  particular  account  of  their  perigrinations  from  their  first  period  of  settlement  to 
the  present  time. 

Small  and  unimportant  as  this  Commonwealth  may  appear,  it  sends  two  Sena- 
tors to  Congress  as  well  as  the  largest  and  most  populous  States  in   the    Union.     This 


96 

appears  strange  in  the  scale  of  equal  representation,  but  they  say  it  is  to  support  the 
independence  of  each  State  this  plan  was  adopted. 

Of  late  the  farmers  have  suffered  considerably  from  the  Hessian  fly;  it  is 
astonishing  what  depredations  this  little  insect  has  committed  on  the  American  grain; 
several  attempts  have  been  made  to  destroy  it;  the  best  remedy,  according  to  some' 
is  to  sow  late,  for  early  in  the  Fall  the  flies  come  in  such  a  body  that  you  may  as 
well  endeavor  to  resist  an  army  of  Sans  Culottes  as  to  impede  their  progress.  This 
scourge  to  the  farmers  does  not  visit  all  parts  of  the  continent,  nor  the  same  neighbor- 
hood <br  many  years  together — they  travel  on  from  place  to  place  like  locusts  without 
a  king. 

The  staple  commodity  of  this  State  is  wheat.  It  is  said  that  Philadelphia  alone 
receives  annually  from  its  creeks  about  270,000  barrels  of  flour;  300,000  bushels  of 
wheat ;  170,000  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  besides  barley,  oats,  &c,  but  a  great  part  of 
these  articles  are  the  produce  of  Pennsylvania.  Its  manufactures  consist  of  paper, 
iron,  snuff,  glauber  salts  and  magnesia.  Apples,  pears,  peaches,  plums,  quinces  and 
other  small  fruit  grow  in  abundance. 

I  must  quit  the  State  of  Delaware.  The  first  town  I  came  to  on  entering  Mary- 
land is  Elkton,  on  the  head  of  a  navigable  river  called  Elk.  It  is  forty-nine  miles 
south-west  of  Philadelphia  from  whence  the  roads  are  tolerable,  with  some  good 
spots  of  land,  but  a  great  deal  of  pauvre  soil. 

From  Elkton  to  Baltimore  is  sixty-nine  miles;  the  greatest  part  of  this  country 
is  barren,  hilly  and  broken;  there  are  a  few  exceptions  and  some  eligible  situations 
for  towns,  among  the  number  is  a  little  place  called  Charleston  which  commands  a 
delightful  prospect,  from  its  elevated  situation  over  Chesapeak  Bay. 

I  crossed  the  serpentine  Susquehanna  at  Havre,  where  it  is  about  one  (mile 
broad.  The  town  lies  on  a  fine  level  bottom  and  contains  forty  houses.  The  country 
is  picturesque  about  Bush  Town  and  Abingdon,  containing  a  few  scattered  houses 
and  a  Methodist  College*  at  present  unoccupied.  The  hills  in  many  parts  of  this 
country  are  full  of  iron  ore,  but  it  requires  to  be  ten  times  thicker  settled  before  the 
hundredth  part  can  be  manufactured. 

Travelling,  in  regard  to  expenses  at  Inns,  is  much  the  same  here  as  in  Eng- 
land; in  some  of  them  you  are  as  well  entertained;  coach  fare  is  much  cheaper; 
beer  and  porter  dearer.  The  Americans  as  yet  have  not  paid  that  attention  which 
they  ought  to  the  brewing  of  malt  liquor.  An  exception  may  be  made  in  favor  of 
Philadelphia  where  there  are  already  thirteen  breweries  which  are  said  to  consume 
upwards  of  50,000  bushels  of  barley  annually.  The  retailers  of  liquors  likewise  get 
an  enormous  profit.  The  publicans  in  most  countries  are  fond  of  making  rapid 
fortunes. 

You  may  perceive  by  the  map  that  Maryland  possesses  advantages  in  naviga- 
tion equal  to  any  of  the  United  States.  The  Chesapeak,  which  is  one  of  the  largest 
bays  in  the  world,  runs  through  the  heart  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  Potomac  also 
as  it  divides  the  State  from  Virginia,  is  navigable  to  George-Town  and  the  Federal 
city. 

*lt  has  since  been  burnt. 


97 

Literature  is  encouraged  and  the  different  sects  of  Christians  are  zealous. 
•"Some  among  each  to  convert  men  to  righteousness,  others  to  proselyte  to  their  dif- 
ferent opinions.  Annapolis,  the  seat  of  government,  is  a  neat  little  city;  the  inhabi- 
tants hospitable  and  polite;  the  State  House  is  the  largest  and  most  superb  building 
in  the  United  States;  and  the  College  daily  increases  in  reputation.  The  following 
•extract  from  an  oration  on  the  liberty  of  the  press  delivered  last  week  by  one  of  its 
students  will  give  you  an  idea  of  the  prevailing  spirit  among  the  American  youth, 
and  with  what  jealousy  they  watch  the  conduct  of  their  magistrates. 

After  defining  his  subject  and  applying  its  possession  to  the.  State  and  Federal 
government,  he  pays  a  tribute  of  praise  to  the  President  and  proceeds.  "However 
-estimable        *        *        * 

I  hasten  to  give  you  a  short  account  of  Baltimore.  There  is  an  old  man  in  the 
neighborhood  who  says  "that  within  his  memory  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  con- 
sisted of  an  Irishman  and  his  hut."  According  to  the  census  taken  in  1790  they 
consisted  of  13,758  souls  ;  at  present,  it  is  supposed,  they  amount  to  18,000.  It  is 
the  largest  and  most  nourishing  port  in  the  State,  and  ranks  as  the  third  in  the 
Union.  It  is  truly  astonishing  with  what  rapidity  towns  and  cities  rise  in  this 
country,  thus  whilst 

"The  Eastern  World  enslaved  its  glory  ends 
An  Empire  rises  where  the  sun  descends." 

Here  are  ten  places  of  worship,  and  as  many  different  sects  of  religion  living 
in  peace  and  harmony  ;  nothing  can  be  more  demonstrative  that  full  liberty  of 
conscience  is  not  inimical  to  the  well-being  of  society  and  civil  government. 

Some  parts  of  Baltimore  are  deemed  unhealthy,  but  upon  the  whole  it  presents 
a  beautiful  prospect  where  health  and  hilarity  may  forever  reign.  Like  most  in- 
fantile places,  some  of  the  streets  are  as  yet  dirty,  but  others  are  well  paved  and  fit 
for  the  feet  of  the  ladies. 

At  Fell  Point,  below  the  town,  the  yellow  fever  raged  this  Fall.  Its  spread 
was  attributed  to  a  want  of  care  and  cleanliness  among  the  poor  Irish  emigrants  who 
resided  principally  in  that  quarter.  Dr.  Ramsey  advises  the  Americans  to  banish 
from  their  shores  the  liquid  fire  of  the  West  Indies.  I  would  add,  banish  from  your 
streets  all  the  dirt  and  filth,  from  your  pools  all  the  stagnant  waters  ;  let  your  rooms 
be  whitewashed  as  often  as  possible  during  the  summer  heat,  and  adopt  the  French 
mode  of  living  upon  weak  soups,  which  is  perhaps  as  good  an  anti-epidemic  as  any 
yet  prescribed. 

It  is  evident  from  their  conduct  that  many  of  the  Baltimoreans  are  men  of  an 
enterprising  spirit,  but  too  many  of  the  country  people,  I  am  afraid,  >are  indolent  in 
the  extreme.  The  Marylanders  in  general  have  a  sickly  complexiou — they  may 
appear  more  so  to  me  after  being  accustomed  to  the  rosy  cheeks  in  Cambria.  ^If  we 
form  a  righteous  judgment  we  must  not  judge  by  outward  appearance  even  of  health. 

I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  the  culture  of  tobacco   is   on   the  decline  ;  it 
spunges  the  spirit  and  strength  of  the  land,  as   well  as  the   health   of  the  planters. 
Wheat  is  become  a  substitne.     This,  instead  of  fumigating  the  brain,  envigorates  the 
.  body  and  enriches  the  possessor  without  impoverishing  the  soil. 

The  Kite-Foot  Tobacco  is  said  to  be  peculiar  to  this  State ;  it  is  only  the 
second  and  third  leaves  from  the  ground  which  soon  grow  to  maturity  and  of  course 


ng 

have  less  strength.  The  most  common  growth  of  trees  are  pine,  sassafras,  magnolia 
and  various  kinds  of  oak.  Their  orchards  are  inferior  to  none  in  the  Union.  Rye, 
whiskey  and  peach  brandy  are  manufactured  in  large  quantities,  but  wheat,  Indian 
corn  and  tobacco  are  the  staple  commodities. 

Although  this  State  was  originally  settled  by  Roman  Catholics,  they  had  the 
good  policy  to  grant  universal  freedom  to  all  sects  ;•  would  to  God  its  present  in- 
habitants granted  the  same  civil  Liberty  to  all  the  human  species..  The  existence  of 
slavery  in  the  United  States  is  a  degrading  badge  of  their  once  having  been  British 
Colonies.  England,  although  she  boasts  of  having  no  slaves  at  home,  permitted  her 
Machiavilian  merchants  to  ravage  the  deserts  of  Africa  in  order  to  cultivate  the  wilds 
of  Columbia.  The  spirit  of  manumission,  however,  prevails — many  have  liberated 
their  slaves,  and  more  are  likely  to  follow.  That  the  words  tolerance,  intolerance 
and  slavery  may  become  obsolete  in  all  the  dictionaries  of  the  world  is  the  common 
prayer  of  Yours,  &c,  M.  J.  R 

(Letter  6th.) 

Respected  Friend: — Just  as  I  left  Baltimore  I  met  a  Regiment  of  the  Militia 
returning  from  their  bloodless  campaign  in  the  western  counties  of  Pennsylvania, 
They  were  received  and  saluted  by  their  fellow  eitizens  with  every  mark  of  esteem 
due  to  Volunteers  who  had  sacrificed  their  time  and  ease  to  defend  the  sovereignty  of 
the  law;  a  law  which  the  greatest  part  of  them  most  probably  were  disgusted  with, 
hut  in  a  country  where  any  law  may  be  repealed  as  soon  as  the  public  will  is  known. 
The  love  of  order  forbids  the  appearance  of  resistance  to  the  civil  magistrate. 

How  widely  dissimilar  the  sensations  in  beholding  this  little  army  starting  from 
their  homes  at  the  exigency  of  the  moment  to  those  I  had  been  used  to  feel  in  view- 
ing an  host  of  slaves,  commanded  by  despots  to  impede  the  progress  of  Liberty,  and 
wreck  their  vengeance  on  their  brethren  of  mankind.  But  ""Hear  Oh!  ye  Kings, 
give  ear  Oh!  ye  Princes"  the  artillery  of  Republicans  shall  batter  down  your  tower- 
ing castles.  Open  your  eyes  Oh!  Tyrants  and  behold  the  irresistible  energy  of  free- 
men. The  stars  in  their  courses  shall  fight  for  them,  and  the  elements  conspire  to 
confound  their  adversaries.  Be  dispersed  then  ye  standing  armies;  ye  sinks  of  im- 
mortality be  drained;  ye  dogs  of  war  be  scattered;  ye  heralds  of  slavery  be  gone. 
Behold  the  American  eagle  spreading  her  wings  towards  the  rising  sun,  and  bearing 
on  her  pinions  the  sons  of  freedom  to  the  zenith  of  glory! 

Oh!  my  friend  1  would  wish  to  soar  still  higher  but  the  roughness  of  the  road 
and  approach  of  night  interrupted  my  meditation.  I  am  come  however  to  a  friendly 
inn,  the  landlord  of  which  freely  entertains  every  description  of  the  oratorial  tribe. 

Next  morning  1  breakfasted  at  Brandenburg  and  immediately  entered  the 
Territory  of  Columbia,  a  tract  of  ten  miles  square  ceded  by  the  States  of  Maryland 
and  Virginia  for  the  seat  of  the  Federal  Government  after  the  year  1800.  The  de- 
sign of  the  city  was  drawn  by  the  celebrated  Major  L.  Enfant,  which  you  have  no 
doubt  seen;  the  Junction  of  the  Potomac  and  the  eastern  branch;  spacious  streets; 
numerous  springs;  variety  of  ascents,  affording  beautiful  prospects  are  the  prominent 
features  which  characterise  the  advantages  of  this  place.  There  are  as  yet  but  few 
houses   built;     the  walls  of  the  Capitol  are  a  few  feet  above  ground:     the  President's 

-This  is  a  mistake,  it  was  not  even  universal  toleration. — John  T.  Griffith. 


99 

Siouse  is  280  feet  in  front  by  275;  and  the  grand  holel  will  soon  be  finished;  George- 
Town  which  adjoins,  stands  on  a  number  of  little  hills  intersected  by  dingles  running 
in  every  direction,  forms  an  agreeable  shade  in  the  picture  of  the  city;  it  contains 
nbout  240  houses  besides  public  buildings;  the  inhabitants  appear  healthy  and 
•cheerful;  the  Union  of  the  Roman  Catholics  and  Protestants  who  have  instituted  an 
academy  for  the  promotion  of  literature,  is  another  instance  proving  that  equal  laws 
are  the  best  means  to  remove  prejudice  and  purge  the  augean  stable  of  its  rubbish; 
the  Potomac  is  navigable  thus  far  for  ships  ;  canals  are  cutting  to  avoid  the  different 
falls  in  the  river.  When  those  are  completed  this  will  probably  be  the  cheapest  route 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Ohio.     The  soil  in  the  adjacent  country  is  indifferent. 

HereT  crossed  the  Potomac  in  my  way  to  Alexandria  a  post  of  entry  and 
post  town  of  Virginia  only  eight  miles  from  the  Federal  city.  It  contains  about  500 
house  chiefly  of  brick  and  carries  on  a  considerable  trade  to  the  West  Indies  and 
Europe.  Here  are  a  greater  number  of  wagons  bringing  wheat  and  flour  to  market 
from  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  other  places,  than  I  have  seen  anywhere  on  the 
continent.  I  tarried  in  this  town  a  few  days  and  made  some  excursions  into  the 
neighboring  country.  The  land  has  been  every  where  reduced  by  tobacco.  The 
people  are  friendly  and  hospitable,  but  do  not  appear  to  be  the  best  farmers.  This 
they  acknowledge,  and  are  willing  to  receive  instructions.  Emigrants  from  different 
parts  have  it  in  their  power  by  example  and  enterprising  spirit  to  give  new  life  to 
the  country. 

On  my  road  to  Mount  Vernon,  some  of  the  huts  by  the  side  of  it  appeared 
miserable,  and  still  more  distressed  inhabitants.  Oh!  slavery  it  is  thy  complexion! 
Had  the  President  of  the  United  States  been  at  home,  I  did  not  mean  to  address  him 
as  Dederick*  did  the  late  King  of  Prussia  but  thus  "Thou  great  man  Washington! 
what  meaneth  the  Meeting  of  these  black  sheep  and  the  lowing  of  these  Negro  oxen 
that  till  thy  ground?  Say  not,  they  belong  to  thy  wife;  they  are  entailed  to  her 
relations  as  an  inheritance.     Such  paltry  excuses  are  beneath  thy  character." 

The  great  defender  of  Liberty  should  give  an  example  to  his  neighbors, 
worthy  of  himself.  How  much  more  honorable  to  pay  wages  and  let  them  support 
themselves.  Experience  evinces  even  in  this  country,  that  it  would  be  more  profit- 
able to  the  employer. 

O  God  of  Liberty!  convince  the  world  not  only  of  the  heinous  sin  of  slavehold- 
ing  but  of  its  madness  and  impolicy.  If  justice  does  not  demand  the  manumission 
of  slaves,  I  defy  any  man  to  prove  there  is  such  a  thing  as  moral  rectitude. 

If  Mount  Vernon  was  not  the  house  of  bondage  to  so  many  men,  I  would  call 
't  a  little  paradise.  The  mansion  modest,  the  garden  neat,  the  meandering  of  the  Po- 
tomac— distant  hills  and  extensive  fields  combine  to  render  the  prospect  delightful 
mid  would  present  a  happy  retirement  for  one  of  the  greatest  men  in  the  Universe. 

From  the  President's  Seat,  I  proceeded  through  Colchester  (a  little  village  on 
Ocoquan  Creek)  to  Dumfries,  a  port  town  on  Quanuco  Creek,  four  miles  above  its 
junction  with  the  Potomac.  It  contains  about  230  scattered  houses,  but  not  a  single 
place  of  worship  ;  the  Court  House,    however,    is   open  to  all   denominations.     I 

*This  silly  man  being  introduced  to  the  King  of  Prussia  addressed  him  "Thou 
■demi-God  great  Frederick,"  to  which  the  King  replied, "Thou  great  fool  little  Deder- 
ick  get  out  of  my  sight!" 


100 

reasoned  with  the  people  from  the  seat  of  the  judge,  of  righteousness,  temperance  and 
judgment  to  come.  It  seems  several  of  them  could  not  stand  the  test,  for  they 
walked  out  before  I  finished  my  short  discourse.  This  is  not  an  uncommon  custom 
in  some  parts  of  America,  for  many  of  the  present  inhabitants,  according  to  Dr, 
Frankly n,  are  not  quite  so  mannerly  as  their  ancestors,  the  Indians.  This  may  be 
owing  in  a  great  measure  to  the  carelessness  of  ministers  to  speak  common  sense  ;. 
too  many  content  themselves  with  mere  declamation  and  threatening  without  ever 
attempting  to  enlighten  the  understanding. 

In  this  neighborhood  there  are  some  pleasant  spots,  and  many  of  the  inhabi" 
tants  mourning  like  just  Lot  for  the  iniquity  of  the  city. 

I  passed  through  Falmouth,  a  little  tobacco  town  containing  about  140  dwell- 
ings, to  Fredericksburg,  a  post  town  on  the  Rappahanock  River,  about  100  miles  by 
land  from  its  entrance  into  the  Chesapeak.  It  carries  on  a  brisk  trade  with  the 
Atlantic  towns  and  exports  tobacco  for  Europe  ;  it  has  one  Episcopalian  church,  and 
as  they  inform  me,  very  little  religion;  it  is  206  miles  southwest  of  Philadelphia,  and 
69  from  Richmond,  the  seat  of  government  for  Virginia. 

On  my  route  towards  Richmond  I  passed  over  a  considerable  extent  of  fine  level 
country,  interspersed  with  pretty  houses  and  good  taverns  with  excellent  accommo- 
dations. It  is  observable  that  in  these  states  the  offices  of  driving  and  holding  the 
plough  devolve  upon  one  person  and  are  commonly  performed  by  the  negro  girls. 

The  first  thing  that  attracts  the  attention  of  the  traveller  at  Richmond  is  an 
elegant  capitol,  with  magnificent  pillars  supporting  a  lofty  portico,  and  forming  a 
prominent  prospect  in  the  city  from  the  town  of  Manchester,  the  other  side  of  James 
river.  The  bridge  over  it  is  about  400  yards  in  length,  connecting  the  town  and  city 
together.  It  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  the  falls  by  which  a  canal  is  now  cutting  that 
when  completed  will  render  the  river  navigable  460  miles  from  the  Chesapeak.  The 
coal  pits  in  the  vicinity  are  expected  to  furnish  a  great  part  of  the  Union  with  that 
valuable  article.  They  are  already  worked  to  great  advantage.  Ten  years  ago  this- 
place  could  not  boast  of  above  50  houses,  but  it  now  contains  upwards  of  1000. 

On  Sunday  in  the  afternoon  I  was  invited  to  preach  in  the  house  of  representa- 
tives and  most  of  the  members  attended. 

The  Virginians  have  done  much  towards  abolishing  the  feudal  system  from 
their  commonwealth,  but  some  of  its  remains  are  still  apparent.  Lands  are  sacred, 
they  cannot  be  sold  to  recover  just  debts.  Glebes  are  still  in  the  possession  of 
Episcopal  clergy,  and  the  human  species  are  transferred  as  chattels  from  father  to- 
son.  "These  things  should  not  be  so."  Most  of  the  State  Legislators,  who  are  at 
present  in  Assembly,  acknowledge  this  slur  on  their  character  and  blush  that  they 
have  it  not  in  their  power  to  apply  an  immediate  remedy.  How  difficult  it  is  for 
slave  holders  to  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven!  O  America,  be  ready  to  meet 
thy  God.  He  hath  prepared  his  bow  and  whetted  His  sword;  His  arrows  fly  fast  in 
Europe,  and  His  sword  is  bathed  in  blood  in  the  West  Indies.  He  will  soon  visit 
this  continent  unless  thou  wilt  let  the  Africans  go  free.  Proclaim  then  the  accept- 
able year  that  it  may  no  longer  be  said  "This  is  a  I>and  of  Liberty  full  of  Slaves." 

From  the  general  character  of  the  Virginian's  being  free,  friendlv  and  volatile 
it  may  be  expected  that  it  will  not  be  long  ere  they  perform  this  just  and  generous 
art.     God  of  love!  grant  it  may  be  this  year,  lest  the   next   should    be   too   late— lest 


101 

the  Blacks  in  their  turn  should  measure  to  the  White-  as  it  was  meted  to  them. 
Should  this  be  the  case,  the  latter  can  have  no  just  reason  to  complain.  Bit  ay  the 
present  Legislators  abolish  every  bad  law  and  enact  new  ones  so  intelligible  as  not  to 
need  a  lawyer  to  explain  them,  and  so  good  as  to  preclude  the  necessity  of  a  magis- 
trate to  assist  Rebellion. 

I  am  sorry  the  English  mode  of  canvassing  at  elections  is  not  altogether 
banished  from  this  land.  It  is  astonishing  that  the  feelings  of  men  in  a  free  country 
should  ever  permit  them  to  put  up  for  public  offices  and  solicit  the  votes  of  their  fel- 
low citizens!  Had  I  ten  thousands  voices,  I  would  never  give  one  of  them  to  a 
candidate  who  intreated  for  my  interest.  Let  the  citizens  seek  their  own  servants 
and  enquire  into  their  merits  before  they  choose  them  to  office.  Let  them  be  elected 
if  possible  without  their  knowledge  of  the  appointment. 

After  crossing  James  river  at  Richmond  I  rambled  through  the  country. 
Many  of  the  inhabitants  are  decently  clad  in  their  own  manufactures.  They  have 
some  good  farms.  The  soil  is  sandy,  unless  it  be  on  the  banks  of  rivers  and  creeks 
where  it  is  black  and  rich.  The  best  wheat  I  have  seen  this  year  is  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Petersburg,  a  trading  town  on  the  Appomattox  river.  Warehouses  for 
tobacco,  stores  and  a  valuable  mill  are  the  most  noted  things  in  it.  The  inhabitants 
which  amount  to  about  3,000  are  subject  to  Pall  fevers.  The  situation  of  the  town 
is  low  and  pleasantly  surrounded  with  hills. 

From  Petersburg  I  followed  the  Post  road  to  Hicks  Ford  (forty-five  miles)  on 
both  sides  of  which  the  country  is  thickly  populated.  But  it  is  a  general  custom  in 
this  State  to  build  houses  at  some  distance  from  the  roads  which  "renders  it  very  dis- 
agreeable to  a  man  when  he  loses  his  way  which  a  stranger  must  be  liable  to  very 
often  for  want  of  directing  posts. 

The  principal  productions  of  Virginia  are  tobacco,  wheat,  oats,  persimmons', 
peaches,  chincapink  and  all  manner  of  fruit;  fine  saddle  horses,  plenty  of  part- 
ridges and  other  game.  Lands  in  general  are  cheaper  than  to  the  northward. 
Abundance  may  be  bought  from  one  dollar  to  ten  per  acre,  with  improvements. 

The  first  town  1  came  to  after  entering  North  Carolina  was  Halifax,  situated 
on  the  west  side  of  Roanoke  River.  It  is  esteemed  unhealthy.  The  inhabitants  have 
erected  a  place  of  Morship,  free  to  every  sect  who  believe  in  the  existence  of  God ; 
some  thought  it  ought  to  be  on  a  more  liberal  scale,  that  atheists  if  there  were  such 
beings,  might  have  an  equal  chance  with  others  in  supporting  their  doctrine.  It  was 
accordingly  voted  to  be  open  to  all.  Truth  requires  no  more.  A  fr<^  investigation 
of  every  subject  will  lead  the  mind  to  the  desired  object.  Infidelity  must  spread 
until  superstition  is  destroyed  ;  then  and  not  till  then  rational  religion  will  prevail 
over  the  world. 

On  my  journey  from  Halifax  to  Raleigh,  the  metropolis  of  North  Carolina,  1 
Mas  accompanied  by  one  of  the  delegates,  who  gave  me  much  information  respecting 
the  country.  State  lands  may  be  purchased  at  about  $3.00  per  hundred  acres,  bul 
for  this  century  it  is  probable  a  great  part  of  them  will  not  he  worth  one  dollar  per 
hilndred.  However,  our  honest  speculators  will  sell  the  sandy  ami  pine  barrens, 
where  you  may  trace  the  foot  of  a  turkey,  for  second  and  first-rate  lands,  if  they  can 
meet  with  any  so  simple  as  to  believe  them.  You  had  better  beware  of  such  people 
on  your  side  of  the  water,  as  they  have  agents  in  every  part  of  Europe. 


102 

Although  liberty  has  been  fostered  in  this  State  since  the  Revolution,  the  law 
will  not  permit  a  man  to  liberate  his  own  slaves  except  in  extraordinary  cases  ;  this 
is  tying  the  devil  to  one's  back  with  a  witness  ;  I  should  rather  he  would  go  to  the 
numerous  herds  of  swine  which  we  daily  meet  on  the  roads  going  to  the  Virginia 
markets.  Some  of  the  wealthy  farmers  in  this  country  drive  five  or  six  hundred  hogs- 
to  market  at  a  time — all  of  their  own  rearing,  and  weighing  on  an  average  from  one 
to  two  cwt.  Pork  sells  this  year  from  $4  to  $5  per  cwt.  This  is  certainly  an  excel- 
lent country  for  hog  and  hominy,  and  a  traveler  ought  to  accustom  hims'elf  to  live 
upon  them,  although  other  provisions  may  be  procured  at  most  of  the  inns. 

Gentlemen  in  these  parts  are  very  hospitable,  and  esteem  it  a  favor  when 
strangers  well  recommended  call  upon  them.  The  country  is  varigated  with  some 
good  spots  of  land  ;  the  timber,  mostly  pine  and  oak.  On  the  last  day  of  the  year 
1794  I  crossed  the  Tar  and  New  Kiver»  to  Raleigh,  where  with  your  permission  I 
shall  conclude  my  long  letter.  Yesterday  we  were  weather-bound  and  this  day  has 
been  for  the  most  part  wet ;  as  yet  I  have  had  no  winter,  and  so  great  a  proportion 
of  fine  weather  I  never  experienced  in  the  Old  World.  May  wind  and  waves  be  pro- 
pitious to  the  friends  of  freedom  on  their  passage  to  the  New.  Dear  brother,  farewell' 

Yours,  &c,  M.  J.  R. 

Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  January  1st,  1795. 

(Letter  7th.) 

Georgetown,  S.  C,  January  12th,  1795. 

Having  finished  my  last  letter  at  the  seat  of  government  for  North  Carolina, 
I  shall  now  give  you  a  short  description  of  it.  The  situation  is  inland  near  the  centre 
of  the  State,  25  miles  from  the  nearest  navigable  water;  the  spot  is  level  and  deemed 
healthy,  and  may  very  well  suit  the  purposes  of  legislation.  Commercial  towns  are 
not  always  the  best  adapted  for  the  residence  of  Legislators.  In  such  places  they  are 
perhaps  apt  to  attend  to-  their  own  avocations  to  the  neglect  of  public  duty.  In  large 
towns  and  cities  gambling  houses  are  likewise  sources  of  corruption  and  immorality. 
Were  it  proper  to  establish  any  test  as  a  qualification  for  office,  gamblers  and  dis" 
sipated  characters  ought  to  be  deprived  of  that  honor.  Experience  has  sufficiently 
proved  that  such  persons  are  not  to  be  relied  on  in  the  hour  of  temptation.  Is  it 
probable  that  men  who  cannot  regulate  their  own  conduct  or  govern  their  passions, 
should  properly  legislate  and  rule  others  ? 

In  the  evening  of  the  first  day  of  the  year  I  was  invited  to  speak  in  the  House 
of  Representatives.  The  members  formed  the  principal  part  of  n>y  audience.  1 
addressed  them  on  the  subjects  of  liberty,  fraternity  and  signs  of  the  times.  Even 
here  we  find  many  who  hail  the  happy  day  of  emancipation,  whilst  others  tremble 
at  the  idea  of  letting  their  negroes  go  free. 

As  I  promised  to  give  you  a  short  account  of  customs  and  manners,  I 
cannot  help  relating  to'  you  what  happened  at  the  close  of  the  last  mentioned 
discourse.  When  i)he  people  were  about  to  disperse  the  Speaker  of  the  House  ad-' 
dressed  them  in  a  few  words,  hoping  they  would  not  forget  their  travelling  friend 
who' had  come  from1  a  far  country  to- visit  them.  Immediately  hats  were  held  up 
and  money  thrown  into  them.  In  vain  I  told  my  friends  that  I  did  not  go  about 
to  preach  for  lucre — they  thought,  however,  that  ministers  could  not  travel  without 
aioney.     I  thanked  them,  for  their  politeness,  and-  spent  the   evening  very  agreeably 


103 

with  many  of  the  members.  They  have  as  yet  but  scanty  acpommodation— every 
house  is  full.  Two  years  ago  there  was  not  a  mansion  in  the  place.  At  present,  in- 
cluding log  houses,  it  contains  about  a  hundred.  The  Capitol  or  State  House  is  large 
and  convenient. 

On  the  second  day  I  left  Raleigh  and  posted  over  several  creeks  and  one  river 
(Cape  Pear)  by  several  huts,  but  very  few  decent  houses,  and  still  more  miserable 
soil — a  few  spots  excepted.  We  travelled  forty-five  miles  and  our  entertainment  was 
but  indifferent.  At  night  we  put  up  at  a  little  tavern  where  we  were  charged  an  ex- 
orbitant price  for  fodder. 

Next  morning  we  breakfasted  at  Payetteville,  on  Cape  Fear  river.  This  is 
reckoned  the  greatest  trading  town  in  N.  C.  It  has  been  named  after  the  unfortunate 
La  Fayette,  of  France,  who  after  defending  the  dearest  rights  of  the  Americans,  and 
commencing  a  glorious  revolution  in  his  own  country,  split  his  bark  on  the  rock  of 
royalty,  and  now  suffers  abundantly  more  under  royal  despots  than  if  he  had  died 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Robespierrian  party. 

Fayetteville  being  no  longer  the  seat  of  government,  buildings,  etc.,  appear  to 
be  at  a  stand.  The  court  house  is  their  only  place  of  worship — open  to  all.  We 
proceeded  on  our  journey  to  Lumberton.  A  great  number  of  the  settlers  along  this 
road  are  Scotchmen  and  their  descendants.  The  little  labor  necessary  for  their  sup- 
port is  performed  without  the  aid  of  Negroes.  What  then  becomes  of  the  objection? 
"This  country  cannot  be  cultivated  without  slaves."  Surely  the  soil  that  cannot  be 
cultivated  by  the  hands  of  freemen,  ought  for  ever  to  remain  a  Wilderness. 

Powell's  tavern  and  Willis'  store  appear  to  be  the  main  pillars  of  Lumberton. 
which  is  situated  on  Drowning  river,  navigable  for  barges  from  thence  to  George 
town.  We  had  preaching  at  the  Court  House  on  Sunday,  and  visited  a  friend  in  the 
evening  who  lives  comfortably  on  a  farm  of  about  2000  acres,  but  not  above  forty 
cleared.  Nevertheless  he  procures  plenty  of  cotton  and  wool  to  make  cloths; 
beef,  pork,  poultry,  butter,  cheese  and  bread  to  eat;  cider,  wine  and  brandy  to 
drink — the  produce  of  his  own  plantation.  This  good  man  (a  blacksmith)  has  like- 
wise erected  a  meeting  house  on  his  land.  If  there  be  no  preachers  he  gives  a  word 
of  exhortation  to  the  people  himself.  Everyone  who  understands  the  gospel  has  a 
right  and  ought  according  to  his  abilities  to  preach  it. 

Beiug  about  to  quit  North  Carolina,  I  shall  just  observe  that  although  this 
climate  approximates  that  of  Spain,  as  yet  there  are  not  many  sheep  folds  ;  the 
wolves,  they  say,  are  not  totally  destroyed  and  the  bears  do  some  mischief.  Manu- 
factures in  every  State  will  perhaps  flourish  first  far  from  the  sea,  and  surely  sheep 
will  thrive  better  on  the  high  lands  sweetened  with  lime-stone  than  on  these  sandy 
bottoms. 

We  entered  South  Carolina  at  Barfield's  Mills,  where  we  crossed  the  Little 
Pedee  and  were  glad  to  have  a  night's  residence  in  a  house  consisting  of  one  long 
room,  where  the  rich  and  the  poor  meet  together,  to  eat,  sleep,  work  and  worship. 
The  proprietor  appears  to  be  a  public  spirited  man,  but  like  too  many  of  that  excel- 
lent stamp,  has  not  been  successfull  in  all  his  schemes.  "Count  the  cost"  is  the 
maxim  of  the  prudent ;  it  is  easy  to  project  beyond  the  ability  to  perform. 

Next  morning  we  could  not  travel  far,  owing  to  a  heavy  fall  of  rain  ;  when  we 
had  turned  to  a  house  for  shelter,  the  landlord  insisted  on  sending  three  or  four  miles 
round  for  his  neighbors,  to  hear  what  a  stranger  had  to  say  to  them  ;  the  people  were 


104 

attentive,  but  there  is  an  Achan  in  the  cam]),  and  until  that  is  destroyed  there  can  be 
no  genuine  success.  I  have  not  missed  an  opportunity  from  New  York  here  of  ad- 
ministering as  many  abolition  pills*  as  I  thought  could  be  well  digested. 

In  the  evening  we  travelled  'till  a  dark  night  overtook  us,  when  w:e  missed  our 
way  in  the  woods  and  imagined  we  should  be  out  all  night.  Had  I  believed  the  doc- 
trine of  ghosts  and  hobgoblins,  should  have  readily  conceived  that  they  were  our 
conductors  at  this  time.  At  length,  however,  we  found  a  friend's  house,  a  descen- 
dant of  the  ancient  Britons.  Higher  up  on  the  Fedee  is  a  place  called  Welsh  Neck, 
originally  settled  by  Welsh  Cambrians. 

Another  wet  morning.  But  we  have  not  had  six  days  that  could  be  called 
humid,  since  the  12th  of  October.  Last  summer,  however,  it  is  said  the  inundations 
were  so  great  in  this  part,  that  the  produce  on  the  low  grounds  was  totally  destroyed. 
The  deluge  must  be  great  indeed  to  supplant  that  valuable  grain  called  Indian  corn. 
The  stalk  is  so  strong  and  the  ear  so  fortified  with  the  husk,  that  nothing  short  of  a 
flood  or  violent  storm  can  injure  it.  The  more  I  am  acquainted  with  its  qualities, 
the  more  I  admire  its  virtues.  Thousands  of  negroes  exist  upon  it— at  least  it  is 
their  principal  support  in  this  country.  Some  families  allow  them  the  addition  of 
salt,  and  others  a  portion  of  beef  once  a  year  on  Christmas.  This  must  be  under- 
stood as  advertising  to  what  are  called  field  or  plantation  Negroes,  as  those  who  are 
employed  in  houses  live  better  than  many  hired  servants  in  Europe.  Indian  corn  to 
those  who  are  accustomed  with  it  both  in  bread  and  hominy  is  excellent  food.  I 
know  of  no  grain,  so  generally  useful  for  the  support  of  man  and  beast.  It  fattens 
all  kinds  of  cattle,  horses,  hogs  and  poultry,  and  the  blades  may  be  classed  with  the 
best  of  fodder.  I  am  sorry  we  are  now  come  to  a  part  of  the  country  where  rice- 
straw  is  given  to  the  horses  as  a  miserable  substitute. 

This  day  we  had  to  (kiss  through  several  savannas  or  swampy  meadows,  and 
owing  to  a  flood  in  the  great  Pedee  'twas  with  great  difficulty  we  could  ferry  over. 
We  passed  by  a  few  good  plantations,  and  after  crossing  Lynch's  Creek,  put  up  at 
Davies'  tavern  (a  Cambro  Briton  married  a  French  woman)  where  we  were  very  well 
entertained  Sans  depense. 

There  is  generally  a  sameness  in  the  surface  of  this  country.  We  met  nothing 
particularly  worth  describing  in  the  road,  unless  it  being  so  uniform  and  level,  that 
the  sight  was  often  lost  between  lofty  rows  of  pine  waving  their  evergreen  heads  with 
the  gentle  breezes. 

After  crossing  Black  River,  at  Evansr  Ferry,  we  arrived  at  George-Town  to 
dinner  at  the  house  of  another  Cymro  from  Bala— the  only  tavern  in  the  town,  which 
.•I insists  of  250  houses.  Its  low  situation  and  the  numerous  rice  plantations  in  its 
vicinity  are  circumstances  very  much  against  its  health  and  prosperity.  It  has  no 
immediate  trade  with  Europe,  although  it  lies  within  fourteen  miles  of  the  ocean  at 
the  junction  of  the  Pedee,  the  Black  and  Sampit  rivers.  Previous  to  the  American 
War  it  had  immediate  communications  with  England,  but  during  that  period  the 
British  and  Tories  burnt  the  greater  part  of  the  town  and  the  depredations  every- 
where in  this  country  was  worthy  of  their  infamous  cause.  A  French  privateer  has 
just  brought  in  a  Spanish  letter  of  marque  ;  the  crew  of  the  former  are  filled  with 
enthusiasm;  victory  or  death  seems  to  pervade  the  soul  of  every  Frenchman;  they 
ling,  fight  and  conquer.     I  wish  they  may  go  on  until  they  break   the  shackles  of 


103 

■slavery  from  the  feet  of  the  oppressed  in  all  lands  and  nations.  Is  it  possible  that  an 
•old  stale  British  law  should  still  exist  in  this  State  to  prohibit  under  £100  penalty 
the  instruction  of  Negroes? 

Sorry  am  I  to  say  that  the  white  people  in  the  Southern  States  are  initiated 
from  their  infancy  into  a  system  of  barbarous  cruelty  ;  even  the  most  beautiful, 
•delicate  and  in  other  respects  amiable  ladies,  who  can  hardly  stoop  to  pick  up  a 
handkerchief  or  move  a  chair,  will  handle  a  cow-skin  to  flog  their  slaves  with 
amazing  dexterity.  But  the  Negroes,  they  say,  will  not  work  without  flagellation. 
Some  of  them,  it's  true,  have  such  an  exalted  sense  of  freedom  that  they  will  suffer 
'the  flesh  to  be  torn  off  their  backs  rather  than  submit  to  their  tyrants  ;  others  are  re- 
markable for  their  obedience  and  gratitude  to  those  who  use  them  generously. 

I  must  bid  you  adieu.  The  South  Tarolinaus,  as  far  as  I  have  seen  of  them, 
"are  polite  and  friendly  to  strangers,  but  every  species  of  civility  that  does  not  em- 
brace the  distressed  of  every  clime  is  in  my  opinion  of  the  mulish  kind,  which  only 
serves  the  vanity  or  interest  of  the  possessor.  M.  J.  R. 

(Letter  8th.) 

1'hakleston,  January  24,  1795. 

Noue  but  those  who  die  in  infancy  quit  the  world  as  they  find  it;  good  or  evil  is 
left  behind  by  all  who  traverse  this  globe,  transient  must  the  stay  of  travellers  be 
not  to  communicate  vice  or  virtue.  Whilst  at  Georgetown  the  opportunities  were 
frequent  to  Impress  the  latner  on  the  minds  of  the  inhabitants,  nor  were  my  pleas- 
ures confined  to  imparting,  I  enjoyed  real  felicity  in  receiving  instructions  from  the 
lips  of  intelligent  friends.  One  of  them  accompanied  us  to  this  place.  But  as  usual 
I  must  give  you  a  short  view  of  our  route,  the  most  remarkable  part  oi  it  was  the 
curious  navigation  of  the  Push-and-go  creek,  down  which  meandering  stream  we 
-had  to  go  4  miles  before  we  crossed  the  Santee  river.  This  creek  was  well  named 
for  we  were  constantly  tacking  about  and  often  entangled  in  the  b-anches  of  the 
'trees.  In  the  evening  our  friend  took  irs  to  a  squire's  house  near  the  road,  the  family 
being  absent  we  could  find  no  white  man  on  the  plantation  excepting  the  slave 
driver,  ^fter  supper  we  conversed  with  the  negroes,  many  of  whom  had  a  thirst  af- 
ter knowledge  and  sang  well.  They  entertained  us  with  roasted  potatoes,  which  was 
the  only  article  they  could  spare. 

Next  morning  we  arrived  ■opposite  this  town  to  breakfast,  (£rt  miles).  The  road 
was  excellent.  We  passed  by  three  or  four  H,piscopaliac  places  of  worship  quite  for" 
saken  and  desolate,  "no  penny  no  pater  noster."  The  country  has,  however,  more 
preachers  than  the  people  are  perhaps  willing  to  hear,  especially  if  they  preach 
against  slavery. 

After  crossing  tire  bay,  which  is  about  three  miles  over,  we  saluted  our  friends 
in  the  capital  of  the  Sovithern  States.  The  citizens  are  sociable  and  friendly,  many 
ofthem  intelligent  and  communicative.  The  description  they  have giyeu  meofsome 
plantations  is  truly  dreadful.  Negroes  not  only  half  naked,  but  totally  uncovered 
penned  up  at  night  and  awoke  each  morning  by  the  music  of  whips  which  are  so  of. 
ten  applied  to  their  backs  that  there  is  scarcely  an  inch  without,  a  scar  or  a  wound- 
If  some  of  the  most  knowing  of  the  slaves  take  upon  them  to  instruct  and  console 
their  comrades  the  most  barbarous  treatment  takes  place  to  tantalize  them  to  si- 
lence. If  every  other  method  fails  the  bablers  are  sold  and  banished  from  their 
Jriends  in  order  to  get  rid  of  their  impertinences,  but  It  is  too  late,  the  seed  is  sown 
and  the  little  leaven  of  liberty,  which  is  now  hid  fiom  the  eyes  of  many,  will  soon 
leaven  the  whole  lump  of  mankind. 

The  orphan  bouse  in  Charleston  I  visited  with  pleasure,  ft  is  a  noble  Institu- 
tion for  white  children,  but  the  black  negroes  being  of  an  inferior  order,  cannot  be 
admitted.  The  city  library  has  a  good  shell  where  many  valuable  books  may  be  depos- 
ited. The  collection  is  already  tolerable,  admitting  its  infantile  state;  I  hope  every 
deposit  for  useful  knowledge  -will  be  enlarged  until  the  torch  of  truth  has  illumined 
'tbeeartb. 


106 

I  happened  to  enter  the  goal  at  a  time  when  it  had  uof  a  single  prisoner;  during: 
that  period  two  were  sent  in,  oue  for  manslaughter  and  the  other  for  vending  bills 
knowing-  them  to  be  forged.  The  criminal  laws  in  this  state  have  not  yet  undergone 
the  necessary  reformation.  They  have,  however,  a  merciful  judge.  Lately  whilst 
addressing  a  criminal  who  was  10  be  executed  he  administered  consolation  by  as. 
soring  him  "that  they  should  all  soon  follow  in  the  same  way."  To  another  he  said 
"tomorrow  you  must  be  banged  by  the  neck  till  you  die,  and  the  Lord  have  mercy 
on  your  soul  between  12  and  1  o'clock."  I  need  not  inform  you  what  countryman 
this  gentleman  is,  nor  have  I  mentioned  the  above  by  way  of  reflection  on  the 
Judge,  for  (a  few  such  innocent  blunders  excepted)  be  is  one  of  the  most  intelligent 
and  amiable  of  men. 

I  will  not  pretend  to  give  yon  a  particular  description  of  Charlestin.  Its  plau 
is  regular,  with  parallel  streets  running  from  Ashley  to  Cooper  river.  These  are  ill" 
tersected  at  right  angles,  but  most  of  them  are  too  narrow  for  this  climate.  The  old 
houses  are  built  chiefly  of  wood,  of  late  brick  prevails  aud  some  of  the  dwellings  are' 
neat  and  well  furnished  tor  the  summer  season  with  piazzas  and  balconies.  Al- 
though the  town  is  not  more  than  seven  teet  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  they  say 
it  is  healthy  to  those  who  constantly  reside  in  it,  but  itoiten  proves  fatal  to  strangers 
who  may  arrive  in  the  summer  and  fall.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  migrate  attla", 
period  to  the  northward  and  to  the  islands  in  Its    vicinity. 

The  commerce  of  Charleston  is  considerable  with  Europe  and  the  West  Indies 
The  exports  of  last  year  amounted  to  ^,846.392'.  It  contained,  according  to  the  cen- 
sus of  1790",  16,400  inhabitants,  of  whom  7,700  were  slaves.  The  population  of  the  state, 
according  to  the  returns  in  1791,  is  141,979  free  persons  and  107,994  slaves.  Near  the  sea 
coast  the  negroes  are  the  most  numerous.  The  legislature  has  wisely  prohibited  any 
further  importation  trom  Africa. 

The  staple  commodity  of  this  part  is  rice;  indigo,  cotton,  tobacco,  tar,  pitch? 
turpentine  and  lumber  are  likewise  exported  in  great  quantities.  One  of  the  princi- 
pal improvements  in  this  state  is  a  canal  now  catting  to  form  a  communication  be- 
tween the  Santeeand  Cooper  rivers.  The  adventurers,  it,  is  said,  are  likely  to  be 
losers  for  some  time. 

There  are  several  colleges  and  academies  in  South  Carolina  and  literature  has* 
been  considerably  encouraged  since  the  Revolution,  nevertheless  many  young 
gentlemen  are  sent  to  the  Eastern  states  to  finish  their  education. 

Although  religion  profited  more  than  anything  else  by  the  separation  of  the 
United  States  from  Britain,  having  no  test  or  establishment  to  retard  its  progress, 
yet  on  account  of  the  distinction  kept  up  between  white  aud  black  there  are  bar- 
riers against  its  promulgation  and  considerable  difficulties  opposed  tofts  success 
In  Charleston  the  sects  are  as  nnmerous  as  in  most  towns  and  their  clergy  well  sup- 
ported by  voluntary  contributions.  Whilst  on  the  subject  of  religion  it  may  not 
be  amiss  to  notice  the  devotion  of  the  French  on  the  21st  of  January,  whilst  com- 
memorating the  death  of  Louis  XVI.  In  the  morning  of  this  day  they  had  a  grand 
procession  through  the  streets,  .-vn  altar  of  liberty  was  erected  a  little  out  of  town 
on  Bocquet's  Green,  where  an  excellent  band  of  music  performed.  The  orator  ap- 
pointed for  the  day  addressed  the  audience  on  the  occasion  and  the  oath  of  eternal 
hatred  to  tyrants  was  solemnly  administered  with  uplifted  hands.  Several  hymns' 
and  odes  to  liberty  were  sung.  A  short  prayer  imploring  the  divine  aid  In  behalf  of 
the  French  nation  and  the  emancipation  of  al)  mankind  concluded  the  ceremony- 
After  this  shouts  of  "Vive  la  Hepublique"  bursted  the  air  and  penetrated  the  portals 
of  heaven.  The  memory  of  the  man  who  wasonce  idolized  is  now  (as  all  idols  ought 
to  be)  despised  and  execrated.  M.  J.  K. 


m 

(Letter '9th.) 

Savannah,  February  4th,  1795. 
If  in  theory  we  are  obliged  to  admit  the  doctrine  of  free  agency,  experience  daily 
evinces  that  it  is  not  altogether  in  man  to  direct  his  steps.  We  are  not  always  gov- 
erned even  by  motives,  for  stern  necessity  often  prevents  us  from  choosing  our  lot. 
A  future  state  of  retribution  sufficiently  demonstrates  the  truth  of  moral  ability  and 
both  nature  and  revelation  prove  the  fact  of  philosophical  necessity— where  then 
shall  we  draw  the  line?  How  shall  we  reconcile  apparent  difficulties?  0  the  depth 
of  the  wisdom  of  God!  Let  us  rest  satisfied  with  the  declaration  of  Jesus— "you  shall 
know  hereafter.^' 

Ten  years  have  elapsed  since  I  took  my  passage  from  London  to  Charleston. 
I  was  upon  the  point  of  sailing  when  an  unforseen  event  changed  my  course — a 
second  attempt  from  Bristol  proved  abortive.  This  led  me  seriously  to  contemplate 
the  Divine  Government,  and  I  trust  the  reflections  will  never  be  erased  from  my 
mind.  Had  Providence  then  permitted  me  to  cross  the  ocean,  I  should  not  have 
borne  my  testimony  against  many  bad  laws  and  iniquitous  practises  in  my  native 
gantry,  nor  perhaps  have  drank  so  deep  of  the  cttp  of  manumission.  Havhig  stood 
on  the  ruins  of  the  Bastile  at  PaVis  and  still  feeling  the  energy  of  those  principles 
which  shake  Europe  to  the  centre,  I  am  now  constrained  to  preach  Liberty  to  cap- 
tives, and  proclaim  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord. 

Judging  of  your  feelings  by  my  own,  I  shall  avoid  egotism  as  much  as  possi- 
ble, but  as  a  traveller,  I  find  it  impracticable  not  to  exhibit  something  of  myself  in 
the  picture  I  present  you.  Although  I  tarried  at  Charleston  but  twelve  days  it  was 
time  to  depart,  else  attachment  to  friends  might  have  made  parting  more  difficult— 
more  cordial  companions  could  not  have  been  met  with;  two  of  them  accompanied 
us  ten  and  a  half  miles  out  of  town — Where  at  our  parting  dinner  we  had  a  concert  of 
frogs  to  entertain  us  in  lieu  of  more  excellent  musicians.  It  is  astonishing  what  a 
clatter  those  little  animals  make  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Its  swampy  bottoms 
are  fine  nurseries  for  them,  nor  is  game  and  Mild  fowl  less  plentiful.  Hundreds  of 
ducks  and  geese  are  constantly  seen  and  may  be  easily  approached  almost  every 
'where  as  we  travel  along  the  road. 

The  first  night  after  we  left  Charleston  our  lodgings  Mere  at  Jtidge  Bxx^s,  an 
active  citizen  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  and  who  I  believe  continues  to  deserve 
well  of  his  country.  I  wish  his  sentiments  upon  the  diabolical  practice  of  duelling 
were  not  only  known  but  adopted  by  every  government.  They  are  short  and  in  my 
opinion  would  be  more  decisive  than  the  Prussian  ordinance  of  punishing  with  death. 
Let  the  challenger  and  acceptor  be  forever  deprived  of  the  privileges  of  citizens. 
The  thoughts  of  being  cashiered  and  incapacitated  for  holding  any  office  of  honor  or 
emolument  would  perhaps  act  as  a  strong  sedative  on  the  minds  of  the  would-be 
courageous.  The  brave  are  above  being  revengeful  nor  will  the  truly  noble  suffer 
■their  dignity  to  be  disgraced  by  permitting  a  contemptible  Coxcomb  to  rob  him  of  life. 

We  crossed  the  Edistow  River,  at  Jacksonburgh,  and  owing  to  the  freshets 
'twas  with  difficulty  we  could  wade  through  some  creeks,  particularly  at  Fish  Pond 
and  Saltcatchers.  In  the  evening  to  Coosa whatchie,  where  I  had  to  lecture  in  the 
Court  House,  the  gentleman  who  entertained  us  told  me  that  he  came  to  this  country 
-at  the  close  of  the  war  without  hat,  cap,  shirt  or  shoes  that  were  wojth  wearing.     He 


108 

possesses  now  about  5000  acres  of  land,  fine  houses  and  plenty  of  Negroes.  The 
wheels  of  Providence  are  ever  guided  by  the  God  of  love.  But  ungrateful  men 
abuse  Ids  blessing,  when  they  rivet  on  others  the  fetters  which  fell  from  their  own  feet. 

From  Coosawhatehie  we  steered  our  course  for  Col.  S ■  on  May  River? 

from  whence  we  came  in  a  canoe  to  this  place  (distance  about  thirty  miles).  The 
meandering  of  this  stream,  the  oyster  shoals,  pomaduni  trees,  etc.,  on  its  banks  were 
truly  agreeable  scenes,  but  when  we  had  entered  the  Savannah  River,  the  wind  hav- 
ing risen  we  were  likely  to  he  overwhelmed  by  its  waves-.  However,  we  arrived  safe 
at  the  desired  haven  and  had  occasion  to  "Prai.se  the  Lord  for  His  goodness  and  his 
wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men." 

At  Savannah  I  have  already  met  with  several  gentlemen  whose  urbanity  can- 
not be  excelled.  What  surprises  me,  they  boast  of  the  salubrity  of  their  situation 
and  adduce  as  proof  the  longevity  of  the  inhabitants.  The  city  stands  on  an  elevated 
bluff  and  every  breeze  of  wind  causes  a  shower  of  sand,  which  salutes  the  tyrant  as 
Well  as  the  slave  with  a  "How  do  you  do  Brother  Dust?"  The  plan  of  the  town  is 
oblong,  abounding  with  squares,  which  furnishes  a  free  communication  of  air  to 
every  street.  The  exports  of  last  year  amounted  to  $263,830.  The  great  descent 
from  the  bluff  to  the  river  is  a  considerable  obstruction  to  its  trade",  particularly  in* 
the  summer,  when  the  reflection  of  heat  from  the  sand  on  the  surface  of  the  water 
becomes  intense  and  proves  mortal  to  many. 

One  day  in  company  with  a  party  of  friends  I  took  an  excursion  to  see  Whit- 
field's Orphan  House.  Nothing  but  the  shattered  wings  remain,  in  which  we  found 
some  broken  screen  maps,  a  whole  length  painting  of  the  late  Countess  of  Hunting- 
don, and  a  poor  family.  It  is  beyond  the  stretch  of  my  imagination  to  comprehend 
what  could  induce  the  good  man  to  fix  u)x)n  so  barren  a  spot  for  such  a  purpose  ;  but 
no  reflection  on  the  dead.  His  intentions  were  no  doubt  good,  although  he  miserably 
(misapplied  the  donations  of  the  public  in  purchasing  slaves  to  support  orphans  and 
students  in  divinity.  "Providence  frowned  on  the  deed,  and  a  flash  of  lightning  (as 
is  supposed)  burnt  the  college  and  chapel  to  the  ground.  Lady  H.  repaired  the 
wings  and  sent  over  several  young  men  to  be  here  qualified  for  the  ministry  ;  most 
of  them  have  since  joined  the  Baptist  and  Presbyterians.  The  last  tutor  was  the  in- 
trepid Johnson,  who  after  the  death  of  Lady  H.  was  forced  to  emit  possession  of  the 
premises.  By  a  certain  clause  in  Mr.  Whitfield's  will  the  property  became  disput- 
able ;  the  State  of  Georgia  interfered  "and  terminated  the  affair  by  decreeing  that  the 
whole  should  be  placed  under  the  inspection  of  commissioners,  who  are  to  apply  the 
property  to  its  primitive  object.  As  yet  they  have  done  nothing  except  banishing 
the  courageous  J,  who  would  not  quit  his  mansion  till  he  was  taken  Vi  eft 
Armis  !  On  our  return  we  visited  the  plantation  where  he  lived  ;  it  had  been  pur- 
chased, with  the  slaves  thereon,  by  Mr.  W.  to  establish  a  revenue  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  orphans,  Ac.  What  pleased  me  most  in  ihia  ramble  was  the 
beautiful  validation  of  shrubbery  and  trees,  most  of  which  in  this  climate  are  clad 
with  a  never-fading  vendure.  The  fan  pomadum  and  the  myrtle  are  favorites  of  the 
soil ;  from  the  berries  of  the  latter,  with  the  addition  of  a  little  wax,  are  made  excel- 
lent candles.  The  hay  trees  are  of  a  larger  growth  than  I  ever  eaw.  The  sour 
orange,  the  peach  and  the  lime  bestow  their  fruit  in  great  abundance,  and  are  lovely 
appendages  to  a  sultry  situation.     The  kitchen  garden  through  the   winter  is  in    its; 


j.niiir,  ana  the  cattle  m  the  country  during  that  period  have  occasion  for  little  or  no 
dry  fodder. 

There  are  hut  few  nations  that  can   boast  of  such  advantageous  variations  a*- 
the  United   States.     They  produce  within   their  own   limits  all    the  necessarl 
luxuries  of  life      No  part  of  the  globe   is   better  adapted  for  in<  d  could 

i  Chinese  policy  be  adopted  as  it  regards  imported  articles  (without  prohibiting  the 
migration  oi  rae<  hanics  into  it  from  other  <  ouritfies),  it  would  soon  like  that  empire, 
become  invincible  in  itself.  Bui  you  are  ready  to  retort,  because  the  propagation  of 
such  principles  ill  becomes  a  citizen  of  the  world,  granted — and  another  word  shall 
not  he  said  in  its  defence.  The  rage  for  every  thing  foreign  is  sufficient  to  make  us 
suspicious  of  the  patriotism  of  some  characters.  For  my  own  part,  Ialwavsfeela 
propensity  for  living  on  and  wearing  the  productions  of  the  country  wherein  1  reside. 
Notwithstanding  this  propendency,  I  would  have  commerce  be  a-  fret  as  air,  un- 
shackled by  treaties  and  disencumbered  as  much  as  possible  from  customs,  [fthe 
love  of  o;tr  eountry  lie  a  cardinal  virtue,  every  nation  oughl  tohaVe  as  great  a  j"  ;■ 
tionofitas  to  prefer  its  own  manufactures  to  those  of  others.  The  prevalence  oi 
this  principle  would  preclude  the  necessity  of  heavy  imports  by  way  of  encouraging 
our  own  artists.  As  for  its  being  a  good  method  of  raising  a  revenue,  I  have  only 
to  say  that  the  mystery  of  just  taxation  has  not  been  revealed,  at  least  it  has  uol 
b.een  generally  practised,  for  every  system  that  does  not  equalise  the  tax  upon  prop- 
erty whether  visible  or  Invisible  must  tie  iniquitous  because  unjust.  It  no  doubt 
requires  wisdom  and  magnanimity  in  legislators  fco  devise  and  execute  such  a  plan, 
hut  the  difficulties  attending  it  are  by  no  means  insurmountable. 

Excuse  t:ih-  digression.  Having  dmed  with  an  honest  lawyer  in  company 
with  many  more  of  the  cloth,  I  was  led  to  the  above  disquisition.  The  worthy  and 
eloquent  pleader  !  refer  to,  is  noted  for  advocating  the  cause  of  the  poor  and  dis- 
tress <!.  Last  week  and  old  woman  came  to  him,  imploring  his  aid  in  behalf  of  her 
son.  then  in  prison.  He  enquired  for  -what  crime  he  bad  hi  en  put  there.'  She 
answered:  "for  galloping  sir."  (They  have  a  law  in  Savannah  against  galloping  ii: 
the  streets)  "Hut  did  he  gallop  over  any  person?"  "No  sir'"  "Where  then  did  hi 
gallop?"  "Only  about  thirty-six  miles  out  of  town  sir."  "Then  I  presume  he  stoh 
'the  horse'"  "Indeed,  indeed  he  only  galloped  av,a\  with,  him,  sir.''  Suck  gallop 
«ers  are  tO<   common  in  America  as  veil  as   Europe. 

(Letter  10th.) 

Savannah,  February  21,  1795. 

Dear  Fkiknd:— And  must  I  again  bear  testimony  against  the  worst  of  crimes 
and  alas  once  more  relate  the  tale  of  woe  because  of  oppression  my  heart  i  grieved, 
and  in  beholding-  the  sufferings  of  the  oppressed  my  soul  is  deluged  with  sorrow* 
Surely  t lie  iniquity  of  Georgia  is  near  its  zenith,  for  in  defiance  of  the  most  power- 
ful convictions  she  continues  to  carty  on  the  trade  of  blood  and  bind  with  chains 
the  innocent  victims  of  her  avarice.  It  is  the  only  state  in  the  Union  whose  ports 
are  open  to  enslave  the  poor  kidnapped  African,  but  to  their  shame  be  it  spoken, 
there- are  too  many  merchants  from  Maine  to  St,  Mary  engaged  in  the  barbarous 
traffic. 

Lately  in  this  city  several  negroes  were  taken  up  and  publicly  flogged  for  as- 
sembling together  to  worship  God.  They  began  with  their  preacher,  who  said  with 
a  smile,  thai  if  it  suited  their  purpose  best  they  might  even  kill  him.  Refusing  to 
Nbe  tried,  he  stood  and  bore  without  a  sigh,  the  scorpion  lash.  The  rest  tollowed  his 
example  and  with  uplifted  hands  to  heaven  appeared  emulous  who  should  receive 
the  ti rst  stroke.  Foolish  Pharoahs  !  Knew  ye  not  that  the  more  ye  persecute  the 
more  Israel  will  increase? 

It  would  take  up  a  volume  to  relate  the  excesses  of  some  task  masters.  They 
have  no  compassion  even  upon  pregnant  women,  but  drive  them  unmercifully  to 
the  moment  of  delivery.  Some  are  tortured  to  death  for  not  accomplishing  a  task 
which  nature  could  never  perform.  Such  as  have  more  merciful  masters  aud  are 
well  clad  aie  liable  to  be  killed  if  they  go  from  home  without   protection.    An  iu- 


111. 

stance  lately  occurred  of  a  negro  who  being  decently  dressed  was  taken  up  by  a  ma- 
licious driver,  had  his  clothes  torn  from  him  and  actually  flogged  to  death  for  daring 
(<>  appear  in  such  apparel.    A  wretch   in  this  neighborhood,  after  shooting  a   negro 
<3^       dead  from  mere  wantoness,  boasts  of  the  deed.    The  patience  of  Jehovah  is  yerily 
^         great,  otherwise  he  would  consume  such  vermin  from  the  creation. 
V*      /  To  counteract  the  vice  of  slavery  I  have  proposed  to  the  friends  of  freedom  the- 

v  •  I    establishment  ol  schools  to  teach  the  children  of  free  negroes  and  others  who  may 

>  I  he  permitted  by  their  holders  to  receive  instruction.  Altough  many  are  anxious  to 
A  I  see  such  a  plan  executed,  yet,  owing  to  their  timidity  and  prudential  reasonings,  1 
r  *"l    am  fearful  of  its  success 

^    '  The  black  people  here  being  prevented  from   assembling  together  to  worship,. 

^         unless  a  white  man  preached    to  them,  I  have  endeavored  to  obviate  this  objection 
anji  the  following  petition  w  ill  give  yon  an  idea  of  what  has  been  done  : 

>  To  the  friends  of  humanity  and  religion  the'  following  case  is  presented  by  a> 
>Ji        Christian  church,-  consisting  of  the   people  ©/color,  living  in  Savannah  and  iti- 

vicinity : 
|l  We  were  formed  into  a  regular  church  in  the  year  1788  ;  Andrew  Bryan,  a  black 

man,  wa»  appointed  paster,  under  whose  ministry  many  havereceived  convictions  ol 
sin  and  linve  proved  their  sincerity  by  a  visible  clmtige  of  conversation  and  conduct. 
We  preiend  not  to  have  a  perfect  church,  but  considering  our  unfriendly  circum- 
stances, few  have  disgraced  their  profession.  When  any  are  found  to  walk  disor- 
*  r'erly  they  have  no  longer  fellowship  with irs  till  by  consistent  conduct  tbesincerity 
^     of  their  repentance  is  manifested.    Nevertheless,  we  have  been  deprived  ofth-e  free- 


OO 


(gift  of  God  to  every  rational  creature. 
The  absence  of  that  civil  liberty  which  is  by  wl 
must,  it  seems,  as  Christians  patiently  endure-,  but  to 


M 


i 


i 


hite  men  so  much  valued,  we 
to  be  deprived  of  the  inestimable- 
privilege  ol  peaceably  assembling  in  our  own  meeting  house,  to  worship  Jehovah', 
is  an  affliction  insnpportabiy  grievous.- 

Formerly  when  we  convened,  for  mutual  worship,  the  cruel  lash  inflicted  the- 
body  till  the  blood  streamed  down  ostr  backs.  That  severity  has  partly  subsided.  IS 
fa,  however,  succeeded  by  a  distressing  delay  of  the  long  desired  blessing. 

We  have  repeatedly  petitioned  the  magistrates,  but  the  following  is  the  only- 
grant  we  could  obtain : 

i  t'iTT  Council,  December  21, 1794'. 

A  petition  from  the  people  of  color,  praying  to  bare  liberty  to  worsbip  Al- 
mighty God  was  received  and  read,- and  as  the  said  petition  is  supported  by  a  re- 
spectable number  of  citizens,  it  is  ordered  that  they  be  »i  liberty  to  assemble  on  Sun- 
day, the  4th  day  of  Jauuarjv  1795.  That  the  said  meetings  shall  commence- after  lO 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  and  disperse  i*?fore  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  each  day. 
|  Extract  from  the  minutes.  WILLIAM  NORMENT,  Clerk. 

,Alas!  in  the  land  of  liberty  our  toleration  to  worship  God  iu  limited  to  two> 
days,  and  only  twelve  hours  in  ihe  year,  and  for  aught  we  know,  forever.  Where 
shall  we  turn  our  eyes?  There  is  no  place  ot  worship  in  the  city  open  nor  conveni1- 
ent  to  receive  us.  Peaceable  ia  the  neighborhood  and  obedient  to  out  masters,  must 
we  be  deprived  of  the  chief  consolation  we  bad  in  this  life?  Oh  fellow  p^en,  fellow'' 
Christians,  think  of  our  condition  and  afford  us  your  friendly  aid!  Though  the- 
color  of  our  sKin  differ  from  yours,  we  have  the  same  claim  oh  humanity,,  the  siame* 
hope  of  immortal  blessedness. 

<  >nr  only  petition  at  present  is  to  have  the  privilege  e-f  worshipping  God  hi  the? 
assembly  of  his  saints. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  about  four  hmidred  members  and  near  fonr  hundred  more 
>vho  wish  to  be  baptised,  but  have  not  as  yet  obtained  leave  by  their  masters,  i>v 

ANDREW  BRYAN,  Pastor. 

SAMPSON  BUY  AN,  |  ,,„.„__ 

EVAN  CLAY,  >  Deacons. 


Ill 

We,  the  subscribers,  having  considered  the  above  case,  think  that  the  best 
Vneans  of  relieving  our  brethren  of  color  is  the  erecting  of  a  place  of  worship,  large 
«md  convenient,  to  hold  both  black  and  white  people  together.  The  principal  objec- 
tion being  against  the  latter  to  assemble  alone.  We  have,  therefore,  entered  into  a. 
■contract  to  build  such  a  place  in  the  city  of  Savannah,  60x50  feet-  with  galleries  all 
round.  We  have  subscribed  among  ourselves  in  Savannah  about  400  pounds  ster- 
ling, but  the  building,  before  it  is  finished,  will  cost  about  1000  pounds  sterling.  We 
(rust  that  the  friends  of  religion  and  liberty,  throughout  the  Union,  will  join  us  in 
assisting  those  who  are  deprived  of  tbe  means  of  assisting  themselves. 

EBENEEER  HILLS,         ") 

JOHN  HAMILTON,  I 

THOMAS  HARRISON,     >- Citizens  of  Savannah. 

JOHN  H.  ROBERTS,         | 

JOHN  MILlEN,  etc,         I 
savannah,  Georgia,  February  24,  1795. 

Having  beeu  requested  to  give  this  new  meeting  house  a  name,  considering 
present  circumstances  I  know  of  no  better  title  than  the  house  of  peace,  according- 
ly it  is  to  be  called  Beth-Shallom.  The  constitution  tbey  have  adopted  will,  I  hope, 
procure  the  -congregation  the  blessing  as  well  as  the  name  of  peace,  AsitcoDtains 
'but  four  articles  I  will  transcribe  it. 

1.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  onlyhead  of  thecburch. 

2.  Believers  in  him  are  the  only  members. 

3.  They  are  to  choose  their  own  officers. 

4.  The  Bible  is  Iheir  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

If  the  prejudice  of  the  white  people  does  not  subside  I  have  no  doubt  but  the 
blacks  will  deport  themselves  with  decorum.  You  would  be  surprised  to  see  their 
\good  order  and  regularity  at  meetings,  and  as  to  singing  their  music  is  far  superior 
to  any  I  have  yet  heard  on  this  continent.' 

Before  I  close  my  letter  1  shall  take  a  trip  to  Sunbury  and  Newport,  10  miles  to 
the  southward.  1  have  been  to  the  little  Ogeechie,  where  the  imagination  or  the  pen- 
cil had  little  or  nothing  to  describe.  The  peach  begins  to  blossom  and  the  birds  war- 
ble their  matrimonial  notes,  but  like  a  sparrow  on  the  housetop  mourning  after  its 
mate,  so  do  I  lament  the  loss  of  a  fellow  traveller  who  accompanied  me  from  Bait  if 
•more  to  this  place.  Truly  two  are  better  than  one  to  sojourn  in  a  strauge  land,  but 
why  should  I  complain. 

"Since  God  is  ever  present,  ever  felt. 
In  the  void  waste  as  in  the  city  full ; 
And  where  He  vital  breathes,  there  must  be  joy." 

But  now  I  proceed  with  the  honest  attorney  to  his  country  seat  on  the  great 
Ogeechie.  Over  this  river  there  is  a  tollerable  drawbridge,  but  at  the  end  of  it  we 
got  fast  in  the  mud  and  all  hands  were  employed  in  getting  the  phaeton  and  horses 
out  of  the  quag.  Then  we  had  for  two  miles  a  causeway,  which  might  be  properly 
•celled  the  perfection  of  bad  roads.  The  attorney  endeavored  to  show  cause  why  the 
causeway  was  so  miserable  and  promised  it  should  be  soon  mended.  In  the  after- 
noon we  amused  ourselves  with  shooting  and  had  plenty  of  sport,  game  being 
•everywhere  abundant.  Next  morning  being  a  day  of  general  thanksgiving  through- 
out the  United  States  for  providential  mercies,  we  went  to  midway  meeting  house, 
where  we  had  a  good  discourse  on  the  occasion  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  G.  Alter  about  '  .  an 
hour's  rest  I  was  requested  to  address  the  audience,  which  I  did  by  endeavoring  to 
rivet  the  nail  that  bad  been  previously  fixed.  In  this  meeting  all  the  white  males 
were  armed  with  pistols  or  muskets.  The  law  obliges  them  to  assemble  in  this  man- 
ner partly  on  account  of  the  Indians  who  now  and  then  scout  in  the  neighborhood; 
ii  likewise  has  a  tendency  to  keep  the  negroes  in  awe,  who  here  are  by  far  the  most 
numrouse.  The  midway  settlement,  although  respectable  and  long  established,  is 
not  congenial  to  the  health  of  the  white  Inhabitants,  for  they  are  constantly  dim'ii- 
'Ishingin  number. 


In  the  evening  we  arrfved  at  Sunbury  where  we  were  well  receive  1  By  Dr.  McQ.  • 
vvho  presides  over  the  academy.  This  little  place  has  a  spacious  harbour  and  is 
.  jgreeably  situated  at  the  head  of  St.  Catharine's  sound.  It  was  burnt  by  the  British 
m  tin-  last  war  and  as  yet  lias  but  few  houses  rebuilt.  The  commerce  which  for- 
merly belonged  to  Che  pori  !.as  beeutnrned  into  a  different  channel.  Although  1 
was  offered  i>y  a  namesake  at  Sunbirry  a  free  passage  to  St.  Mary's,  fthe  extreme  of 
Che  Union VI  could  dqI  ae<  ept  it  on  account  of  prcv  ions  engagements.  We  returned 
by  Newport,  an  infant  town  foil  of  business.  The  country  affording  no  variety  of" 
pict  nresqne  view's,  one  conversation  was  principally  upon  religion  and  politics.  As 
we  often  dream  at  night  of  what,  occurred  in  the  day,  I  am  tempted  in  this  place  to 
present  yon  with  my  vision  on  the  nig-ht  succeeding  the  Tba?nksg1\  dug  Day.  My 
iniod  being-fixed  upon  tbart  part  of" the  president's  proclamation  wherein  he  prays 
"and  finally  to  inrpart  all  the  blessings  we  possess  or  ask  fbi  on i  selves  to  the  whole 
family  of  mankind,''  nobly  »aid,  etc. 

iter  nth.) 

Ai  '.I  si  a,  .March  2nd,  f795. 
1  k'.i.xn: — The  visions  of  my  head  having  led  me  to  Mount  Vernon; 
in  behold  lie  Presidenl  of  the  United  States  manumitting  his  Negroes,  the  delicious 
entertainment  tempted  me  to  drenm  a  si  cond  time  In  my  reveries  f  sac  assembled, 
in  a  magnificent  temple  dedicated  to  Liberty,  all  the  Legislators  and  Ministers  of 
Religion  within  the  I  nihil  States.  A  person  of  middle  stature,  whose  countenance 
bespoke  integrity  and  fir ctmess,  rose,  and  having  fixed  his  eyes  mi  the  Legislators, 
Shus  address)  ■!  them  : 

(  rnzEKs": — ITou  stand  in  the  place  of  God,  &e, 

After  a  short  but  solemn  pause,  he  turned  to  tht  Preachers  of  Xtianity  (Chris- 
tianity) and  with  an  uplifted  hand  spake  as  follows: 

Mew    ;mi  l;r.|..riii:KN  : — Your  profession  is  honorable.     You  are.  iX'c, 

fazed  at  each  other  in  silence;  a  consciousness  of  guilt  was 
visible  in  their  faces,  but  they  dreaded  the  consequences  of  emancipatfng  their  brick- 
makers.  At  length  the  voice  of  Virtue  resounded  through  the  ball  and  instantly 
Righteousness  was  seated  on  the  tribune  ;  Vice  made  a  feeble  opposition  by  urging 
the  imprudence  <>t'  putting  Justice  at  that  period  in  the  chair.  rl  lie  voice  of  Truth  was 
however  beard  like  the  trumpet  from  Sinai,  demanding  audience,  and  finally  proving 
that  there  never  was  cr  will  be  a  period  v. ben  .justice  should  not  preside  in  that 
assembly. 

Aloud  call  for  the  question  wfaet&er  it  was  Just  to  grant  equal  liberty  to  all' 
men,  whatever  their  complexion  be,  roused  me  out  of  sleep,  and  all  I  can  recollect 
lo  have  taken  place  in  the  interim  was  the  reading  of  a  Congressional  Declaration  of 
Rights, worded  July  lib.  177ii,  as  follows  :  "We  bold  these  truths  in  be  self-evident — 
that  all  men  are  created  equal  ;  that  they  arc  endowed  by  their  <  reator  with  certain' 
unalienable  rights  ;  that  among  these  are  life,  liberty  and  I  be  pursuit  of  happiness  ; 
that,  to  secure  these  rights  governments  are  instituted  among  nan.  deriving  their  just 
power  from  the  consent  of  the  governed  ;  and  whenever  any  form  of  government  be- 
comes destructive  to  these  ends,  it  is'  the  right  of  the  people  to*  alter  or  to  abolish  it 
and  to  institute  new  government,  laying  its  foundation  on  such  principles,  and 
organizing  its  powers  in  such  form  as  to  them  shall  seem  most  likely  to  elicet  their 
safety  and  happiness-.'  Whether  the  United  Mates  would  have  the  magnanimity  to» 
execute  this  decree  and  apply  it  universally,  was  not  discovered  to  nxe.  I  have,  how- 
ever, hazarded  an  opinion  in  some  letters  which  I  have  just  wrote  in  answer  to  a' 
pamphlet  entitled  Negro  Slavery  defended  by  the  Word  of  God. 

I  now  bid  adieu  to  the  melancholy  subject  and  proceed  on  my  journey  to» 
Kentucky  and  the  N.  W.  Teiritory.  In  this  route  you  must,  not  expect  to  have  a 
description  of  any  thing  like  the  Chef  1)'<  hi  .tos  and  antiquities  of  Italy  ;  tin-  magnifi- 
cent louvres  of  Prance  ;  or  the  sublime  neatness  and  uniformity  of  Holland  ;  Ian  il 
the  Author  of  Nature  will  give  me  a  pencil  to  paint  His  works-,  perhaps  mountains. 
deserts  and  plains  may  make  stranger  and  more  durable  if  not  finer  impressions  oi» 
your  mind. 


113 

Just  as  I  was  about  to  quit  Savannah,  I  received  a  polite  letter  (a  copy  of 
which  1  transmit  to  you)  not  out  of  vanity,  but  merely  to  show  the  liberal  spirit  of  its 
author.     Many  of  the  citizens  pressed  hard   upon   me   to   return   and   reside  among 

them,  but  it  is  vain  to  calculate  on  futurity  ;  we  know  not  what  a  day  will  bring 
forth.  Health  being  the  most  valuable  of  all  earthly  blessings,  that  manner  of  living 
which  procures  the  greatest  share  of  it,  should  be  followed,  and  traveling  has  hitherto 
been  my  best  physician  ;  but  my  friends  portray  the  prospect  of  my  present  pilgrim- 
age in  dark  and  dismal  colors.  Its  commencement  has  not  turned  out  very  pleasant, 
being  seized  the  first  night  after  I  left  Savannah  witli  a  violent  influenza.  The  next 
day  I  tarried  awhile  at  a  Dutch  settlement,  of  whose  Minister  the  President  of  the 
United  States  said,  "lie  is  one  of  the  most  humble  and  modest  men  I  ever  saw."  He 
showed  me  their  meeting  house  which  for  this  country  is  a  very  good  one,  hut  not  too 
much  si,  to  in-  converted  into  a  stable  during  the  last  war.  I  spent  the  evening  with 
another  clergyman  who  instead  of  fleecing  his  flock,  had  been  sheared  by  them  very 
iy. 

Next  day  whilst  waiting  for  dinner  at  a  tavern  the  landlord  questioned  "me 
about  the  meaning  of  all  the  difficult  texts  of  Scripture  he  could  think  of,  for  which 
trouble  I  was  entertained  a  la  gallais.  This  person,  to  his  praise  be  it  spoken,  was 
not  more  inquisitive  in  speech,  than  industrious  about  his  dwelling.  His  little  farm, 
although  naturally  barren,  produces  by  skill  and  good  management,  excellent  crops. 
The  shading  of  summer  follows  with  any  kind  of  clover,  beans,  peas  that  may  be 
turned  up  with  the  soil.  It  has  proved  of  the  greatest  utility  in  most  climates,  but 
particularly  the  warm.  This  citizen  manures  his  farm  with  a  kind  of  weed  natural 
to  the  soil.  He  sows  the  seed  in  the  Spring  and  ploughs  the  whole  up  early  in  the 
Fall:  thus  instead  of  exposing  his  fallows  to  be  destroyed  by  the  Summer  heat,  he 
gains  the  advantage  of  manuring  his  land  with  its  own  productions. 

Most  things  are  purified  by  fire.  Even  the  surface  of  the  greater  part  of  the 
pine  barrens  pass  the  ordeal  once  a  year.  What  is  called  wire  grass  grows  to  a 
'considerable  height  and  must  be  burnt  every  Spring  for  the  cattle  seldom  feed  upon 
it  after  the  first  growth.  This  being  the  purifying  season  'twas  with  difficulty  I 
could  get  along  in  some  places.  The  fire  ran  parallel  vith,  and  often  crossed  the 
road,  forming  a  kind  of  running  blaze,  which  in  one  constant  stream  swept  thous- 
ands of  acres  before  it. 

The  further  I  traveled  from  the  sea,  the  land  grew  better,  but  more  broken, 
with  many  large  ponds  and  meadows  covered  with  water. 

My  influenza  growing  severe  and  an  excellent  horse  which  carried  me  all  the 
way  from  New  York  being  sick,  I  took  my  rest,  the  greater  part  of  one  day  and 
night,  with  a  member  of  the  next  Georgia  Convention.  Here  1  had  the  pleasure  to 
see  a  large  family  engaged  in  husbandry  and  home  manufactures  ;  the  sons  were 
employed  in  the  field  and  the  daughters  in  carding,  spinning  and  weaving.  The 
sight  had  a  tendency  to  banish  my  disease,  and  Mrs.  D.  engaged  to  restore  the  health 
of  my  horse.  She  tied  a  piece  of  sassafras  root  in  his  mouth  and  let  him  stand  for 
some  time  to  chew  it ;  he  was  then  sent  into  the  wheat  field  to  graze.  Jt  is  common 
here  to  drive  not  only  sheep  but  horses  at  this. season  to  keep  down  the  thriving  wheat. 

By  next  morning  we  were  pretty  well  recovered  and  after  refreshing  ourselves 
;tt  a  very   good    inn    on    the    road,   we   reached    Augusta,  •where   the    first-rate    land 


114 

commences  and  the  trees,  which  indicate  good  soil,  make  their  appearance  ;  but  bad 
as  the  pine  lands  are  deemed  to  be,  I  have  seen  sufficient  proofs  of  their  being  made 
very  productive. 

Where  there  is  such  an  extent  of  territory  and  such  a  scope  for  speculation,  if 
is  natural  for  the  inhabitants  to  be  shifting  and  ever  searching  for  the  best  spots. 

The  common  topic  of  conversation  for  some  time  past  has  been  concerning  one 
of  the  greatest  speculations  and  we  may  add  peculations  which  ever  took  place  in 
any  country— about  twenty-five  millions  of  acres  have  been  sold  by  the  present 
Legislature  for  nearly  a  penny  per  acre,  a  great  proportion  of  which  is  equal  to  any 
in  the-world.  It  is  more  than  suspected  that  the  majority  of  the  members  were 
bribed  by  the  companies  that  purchased.  The  people  are  very  clamorous  against 
them  and  some  have  been  obliged  to  fly  ;  disputes  and  even  wagers  run  high  whether 
or  not  the  laws  can  be  repealed  and  the  purchase  be  disannulled.® 

Augusta  is  noted  for  speculators.  It  consists  of  about  200  houses  mostly  in 
one  long  level  street  on  the  banks  of  the  Savannah  River,  which  is  navigable  for 
barges  a  few  miles  higher  up ;  from  hence  a  considerable  quantity  at  tobnceo,  indigo 
and  cotton  is  exported.  The  currents  of  this  river  are  very  much  against  importation, 
boats  being  sometimes  three  weeks  coming  up  from  Savannah  here.  They  have  now 
on  the  stocks  a  steam  boat  intended  to  sail  against  the  stream  ;  many  attempts  have 
been  made,  but  as  yet  without  effect,  as  the  mechanism  of  the  inventor  has  hitherto 
been  too  complex. 

No  discovery  can  be  of  greater  utility  to  America  than  a  simple  method  of  row- 
ing against  the  stream  by  means  of  engine  or  any  other  machine.  Its'  immense  inland 
navigation  demands  the  exertions  of  eveiy  genius  to  find  out  this  useful  art.  They 
talk  of  encouraging  the  liberal  arts  in  this  State,  and  keep  much  noise  about  religion 
but  infrdelty  gains  ground.  A  modern  Theist  lectures  eveiy  Sunday  morning  in  this 
town,  simply  on  moralitr — Christianity  is  out  of  the  question.  Yesterday  I  heard  a 
discourse  in  defence  of  revelation  which  would  have  been  more  useful  and  pleasing, 
but  for  its  prolixity.  Near  the  close  several  of  the  young  bucks  were  unmannerly  in 
the  extreme.  I  thought  of  Robinson's  prayer,  "Lord  forgive  the  impatience  of  the 
hearers  and  the  tediousness  of  the  speaker;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  Amen." 

The  Episcopalian  clergyman  in  whose  pulpit  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  is 
truly  a  liberal  man  and  a  very  excellent  companion.  He  expressed  an  anxious  de- 
•iie  to  see  an  union  of  all  denominations  speedily  taking  place. 

As  I  shall  soon  quit  the  Post  road  it  may  be  a  long  while  before  J'ott  hear  from 
me  again,  I  shall  endeavor  to  preserve  my  journal  and  perhaps  copy  it  verbatim 
for  your  perusal".  May  the  Governor  of  the  universe  guide;  protect  and  bless  you 
and  yours  with  a  full  fruition  of  every  felicity.  M.  J.  E. 

(Letter  12.) 
Dear  Friend: — Agreeable  to  promise,  I  transcribe'  my  journal,-  in  which  you 
may  find  related  some  trifling  affairs,  whilst  more  essential  articles  are  perhaps  omitted. 
Having  labored  under  considerable  debility  of  body  and  mind  and   no  Amanuensis 


-This  has  been  since  done.  The  succeeding  Legislature  repealed  the  law,  and) 
had  a  grand  procession  to  burn  all  the  papers  and  records  relative  thereto  in  one' 
conflagration* 


115 

to  note  down  the  occurences  of  the  moment,  my  memory  could  not  always  recall  the 
ideas  and  impressions  which  local  circumstances  made  on  my  mind. 

March  3rd.     Left  Augusta;  breakfasted  at  Judge  W n's;  Parson  B.  and 

his  servant  accompanied  me  as  far  as  Bedford,  a  little  village  five  or  six  miles  from 
A.  I  have  not  seen  many  black 'coats  so  free  from  Buckram.  How  seldom  do  we 
meet  with  dignity  of  deportment;  ease  and  amiability  of  manners  in  the  same  per- 
son!    Feeling  sick  and  distressed  for  want  of  a  fellow-traveller,  I  halted   early  in  the 

evening  at  the  hospitable  Col.     S s,  who  detained  me  over   night  and    diverted 

me  with  Indian  and  Revolutionary  tales  in  which  he  was  well  versed;  he  assured  me 
that  many  of  the  Indian  warriors  were  men  of  integrity,  and  by  no  means  devoid  of 
humanity. 

4th.     My  intended  route  being  over  the  mountains,  I  thought  best  to  change 

my  big  horse  for  Col.  S 's  little  mare  valued  at  £25  sterling.    The  roads  begin   to 

be  rough  and  stoney;  you  may  judge  of  those  I  have  already  traveled  when  I  inform 
you  that  my  horse  had  been  rode  from  Vermont  to  Augusta  (upwards  to  1500  miles) 
with  the  same  shoes.  This  day  I  rode  but  a  few  miles,  having  to  preach  in  the  even- 
ing at  Elder  M 's. 

5th.  Started  early  and  breakfasted  at  Ray's  Mills  ;  tolerable  soil,  but  the 
surface,  on  account  of  its  being  so  vari  gated,  is  liable  to  be  washed  by  heavy  rains. 
Dined  at  P.  G.,  Esq.,  who  is  so  exasperated  against  land  speculators  that  he  can 
scarcely  forbear  cursing  them  for  the  disgrace  they  have  brought  on  their  country. 
In  the  evening  to  Mr.  S.,  where  I  met  a  gentleman  just  come  from  Kentucky, whither 
a  great  many  are  about  moving  from  this  neighborhood,  some  in  quest  of  health, 
others  to  gratify  a  passion  which  amounts  to  a  species  of  mania  for  migrating  to  the 
Westward. 

6th.  Passed  through  a  little  town  called  Washington  ;  I  went  to  see  a  mineral 
spring  in  its  vicinity,  to  which  Morse  and  others  attribute  many  virtues.  At  present 
it  is  not  much  resorted  to,  nor  do  its  qualities  at  this  season  appear  to  me  extra- 
ordinary. In  the  evening  to  E.  B.,  Esq.;  nothing  particular  occurred,  but  the  old 
tale  of  condemning  the  last  Legislature.  It  is  well  for  this  country  that  it  has  so 
many  virtuous  characters. 

7th.  Went  with  Mr.  B.  to  S.  M.'s  meeting  house.  The  church  held  a  con- 
ference and  I  was  very  much  pleased  with  their  deliberations  on  some  important 
points  of  discipline.  Their  government  is  purely  republican.  Those  who  would  find 
monarchy  or  aristocracy  in  the  Gospel  may  as  well  expect  fire  in  water  or  men  grow- 
ing like  mushrooms  out  of  the  earth. 

8th.  Two  sermons  in  the  morning;  the  weather  was  cold  and  the  people 
chilly;  whenever  I  see  a  starving  congregation,  I  think  of  "I  will  have  mercy  and 
not  sacrifices;"  some  would  have  preached  three  or  four  hours  from  "Speak  my 
words  whether  they  hear  or  not;"  returned  in  the  evening  with  Mr.  B.  and  ex- 
horted at  his  house;  the  people  attend  with  a  degree  of  avidity,  that  shows  they  are 
anxious  to  understand. 

0th.  To  Major  L.'s,  where  I  met  Col.  H.  k.,  with  whom  I  went  home — of  this 
man  one  of  the  members  of  Congress  told  me  "He  is  a  jewel  of  estimable  value."  In 
the  course  of  our  conversation   this  evening  he  has  convinced   me  that   few   men 


116 

possess  more  knowledge  and  merit,  and  yel  be  has  never  been   elected   by  the  Gfei 
gians  to  any  office  of  honor  or  emolument. 

10th.  Mr.  II.,  who  is  well  acquainted  with  this  country,  informs  me  that  the 
■  liraate  is  congenial  to  all  manner  of  frtrit  provided  the  planters  understand  its  cul- 
ture; excellent  soil  for  barley,  but  the  weavel  and' rust  destroy  the  Wheat;  Indian 
■••urn  ami  oats  likewise  thrive  Well— they  may  be  bought  now  for  1  per  bushel; 
cattle  proportionately  cheap;  men  may  live  well  here  provided  they  have  health  and 
that  Messing  with  proper  precaution  may  he  obtained  in  as  great  a  degree  in  this,  as 
any  other  State;  a  had  practice  prevails  in  most  places  of  cutting  down  the  trees 
which  should  shade  the  houses,  where  they  don't  grow  naturally  the  weeping-willow, 
ought  to  be  planted  as   a    preservative   from   the    noxious   exhalations  of  ponds 

and    rotten    trees;     dined    at    the    Rev.  Mr.  S — t's.  part    of  whose   congregation 

wanted  to  expel!  him  fi  r  adopting  Watts's  Psalms  in  lieu  of  the  old  Scotch  version; 
in  the  evening  to  Elder  W.,  who  with  four  or  live  oilier  preachers  with  many  of 
their  neighbors  are  about  starting  to  Kentucky,  in  consequence  lands  have  fallen  in 
price — good  farms  with  considerable  improvements  may  be  bought  for  two  dollars- 
per  acre. 

11  tli.  Spent  the  greatest  part  of  this  day  in  reading  the  history  of  this  Western 
Territories;  the  empire  of  the  earth  has  been  for  some  time  travelling  towards  the 
setting  sun. 

12th.     Weather  hound.  ; 

13th.     To  Elder  S.,  who  is   about  taking  his  numerous  family  over  the  Ohio, 
in  order  to' be  totally  freed   from  the  curse  of  Negro  slavery;    violent  toothache 
'twas  the  reflection  of  a   rake   once,  and   the   means  of  his  conversion.     If  one  little 
bone  aches  so  much,  what  excruciating  pain  must  the  wicked    feel  when    every  joint 
will  be  tortured  by  Divine  vengeance. 

14th.  Passed  by  Greaver's  Mountain,  which  is  supposed  to  contain  iron. 
copper,  gold  and  silver  ore.  The  proprietor,  an  old  English  gentleman,  thinks  its 
value  equal  to  all  the  State.  On  the  road  I  was  invited  to  address  a  company  of 
citizens  who  had  assembled  to  sign  their  acceptance  of  a  small  pittance  of  western 
land  allotted  them  by  the  late  infamous  and  shameless  Assembly.  Dastardly  con- 
duct!    They  ought  to  have  treated  the  perjurors   as   traitors   to   their  country.     In 

company  with  Elder  S.  to  Mr.  W e's  between  two  and  three  hundred    miles   from   ' 

the  sea  on  the  banks  of  the  Savannah. 

15th.     To  W e's  meeting  house  and  after  service  to   T -s's;   very  much 

fatigued.     The  rest  of  the  laborer  is  sweet. 

Pith.  Crossed  the  Savannah  at  Barksdale  Ferry,  where  I  met  several  families 
with  their  wagons  moving  from  X.  Carolina  to  Georgia,  from  whence  many  of  the 
d  folks  are  migrating  as  fast  as  they  can.  Wonderful  country!  whose  inhab- 
itants, like  the  waves  of  the  searare  constantly  ebbing  and  flowing  East,  West,  North 
and  South.  Here  I  entered  South  Carolina  and  traveled  westward  this  day  near 
forty  miles.  The  soil  in  several  places  was  exceedingly  rich  ami  some  elevated 
positions  afforded  pleasanl  prospects.  On  this  road  there  are  but  few  taverns  ;  it  is  a 
common  practice  with  every  planter  to  keep  entertainment — some  make  reasonable 
charges  and  others,  like  the  ancient  Britons,  keep  open  houses  for  till  strangers 
Col.  15.,  at  whose  house  I  am  this  evening,  is  one  of  the  latter  number. 


117 

17th.  v.    Mr.   i  .     The    Pri  Proclamation    for    a    general 

Thanksgiving  had  not  reached  this  part  till  too  late  to  comply  on  the  appointed 
time.  A  large  congregation  was  this  day  assembled  to  offer  the  Divine  Being  their 
tribute  of  praise.  Ircited  to  address  them.  I;   with  pleasure,  performed   the 

task.  Whilst  numerating  the  various  privileges  of  Americans  as  men  am!  Christians, 
tears  of  joy  and  gratitude  witnessed  the  heartfelt  satisfaction  of  the  audience.  After 
retiring  I  could  not  help  reflecting  on  the  necessity  of  some  regulations  in  the  post 
office  department  as  it  regards  remote  and  obscure  parts  of  this  continent.  The  con- 
veyance^ of  letters  and  newspapers  is  a  debt  which  the  public  owes  to  every  infant 
settlement,  It  is  a  parental  duty,  lor  such  settlers  stand  in  the  same  relation  to 
government  as  children  do  to  their  guardians.  Every  free  government  is  supported 
by  tiie  knowledge  of  its  citizens,  therefore  to  deprive  any  part  of  the  communil 
account  of  poverty)  of  the  means  of  instruction  is  an  act  (if  despotism. 

18th.  A  wet  morning  prevented  me  from  pursuing  my  journey,  and  as  it  was 
too  long  to  perform  in  an  afternoon,  I  tarried  and  enjoyed  the  conversation  of  my 
friends. 

19th.  After  being  accompanied  by  a  friend  about  12  miles,  I  felt  considerable 
distress  in  traveling  alone  through  the  woods — not  a  person  or  a  hut  to  be  seen  for 
L5  or  20  miles.  At  length  I  was  glad  to  find  a  house  where  I  could  feed  myself  and 
horse",  all  which  cost  me  hut  Bid.  Although  affliction,  cometh  not  from  the  dust,  yet 
man  is  born  to  trouble  as  the  sparks  fly  upward.  The  gentleman  at  whose  house  I 
lodge  this  evening  has  had  his  bones  broken  by  a  fall  off  a  horse.  I  can  perfectly 
sympathize  with  him  from  the  pain  I  experience  at  this  moment  from  a  tooth. 

20th.  Passed  over  several  hills  which  had  abundance  of  ore;  crossed  the  Se- 
luda  at  Golden  Grove;  in  (his  neighborhood  I  am  to  wait  'till  a  company  sufficiently 
strong  shall  have  a  bo  march  over  the  mountains;  happily  I  have  an   agree- 

able situation  at  Brother  T's. 

L'lst.     Confined  to  my  room  endeavoriuj  a  system  which   I   hope  will 

tie  of  service  to  mankind. 

22d.  Being  the  first  day  of  the  week  I  was  anxious  to  go  out,  but  prudence 
kept  me  at  home;  a  large  company  that  collected  in  the  evening  insisted  on  my 
preaching;  thirst  after  knowledge  should  not  be  greater  than  a  desire  to  communi- 
cate what  we  know. 

23d.  Whilst  wai'ing,  time  passes,  but  the  anticipation  of  future  good  is  often 
the  most  animating  cordial — we  live  by  faith. 

24th*     Went  abroad  in  the  afternoon  and  delivered  a  discourse  to  a  small  con- 

tion;  afterwards  read  by  particular  request  some  letters  on  liberty  and  slavery; 
a  person  present  who  intended  lo  barter  land  for  Negroes,  was  convinced  of  its 
iniquity  and  declared  that  be  would  no  longer  possess  a  -lave. 

25th.  To  Sheriff  T— — ;  this  neighborhood  has  many  respectable  characters, 
but  being  so  remote  from  navigation,  they  complain  of  want  of  comm 

Sheriff  T.  and   Major   II.,   after   being   out  all    night,   brought    in   this 
morning  a  kidnapper  of  Negroes;  il  is  a  common  practice  to  steal  slaves  and 

them  from  one  State  to  the  other  and  often  to  the  Floridas. 

27th.     The  morning  was    bright   and   serene:    made   an    agreeable    sortie   and 
•  among  the  vari  the  orchard;  the  peach  displayed  a  brilliancy  which 


118 

Jar  exceeded  the  plumage  of  courts  or  the  pearly  lustre  of  sceptered  sovereigns;  the" 
contrast  created  a  strong  commotion  in  my  mind;  I  beheld  the  falling  flower  and 
with  pleasure  examined  the  growing  fruit.  But  Lo!  Yonder  drops  the  mitred  crown 
and  nought  remains  except  a  barren  skull  from  whose  foraminio  issued  wars,  death 
and  pestilence  to  plague  a  world. 

28th.  What  sudden  transitions  from  heat  to  cold — to-day  it  snows;  A  confer- 
ence or  meeting  of  ministers  commenced  yesterday  afternoon  and  is  to  last  three 
days:  now  I  shall  be  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  sanctuary;  in  the  evening  to  Judge 
W.;  this  gentleman  is  willing  to  emancipate  his  negroes  provided  they  could  be 
colonised;  it  is  the  sentiment  of  several  with  whom  I  have  conversed  on  the  subject; 
their  prejudices  are  so  great  against  the  color  that  they  cannot  bear  the  thoughts  of 
granting  equal  privileges  to  the  blacks  whilst  living  among  them. 

29th.  A  considerable  concourse  of  people  assembled  in  the  woods;  Elder  T. 
delivered  to  them  a  very  pathetic  farewell  discourse.  Some  of  the  ministers  who 
were  expected  to  speak  not  having  come,  the  lot  fell  each  day  upon  Jonah  to  preach 
repentance  to  the  South  Carolinians.  *  * 

After  having  spent  about  two  months  iu  Georgia  and  .South  Carolina  he  came 
to  Kentucky  and  then  crossed  the  Ohio  river  to  East  Greenville,  where  he  addressed 
the  United  States  Army  and  about  six  or  seven  hundred  Indians  on  July4thand5th, 
1795,  (see  oration  and  altar  of  peace.)  He  left  East  Greenville  about  July  10th  on  his 
return  tour  and  came  via  Kentucky  and  Virginia  back  to  the  Northern  States.  He 
gives  a  graphic  description  of  his  journey  on  his  mare  Primrose,  as  he  called  her, 
and  preached  at  many  places  along  his  route,  but  space  will  not  permit  us  to  print 
the  entire  diary,  hence  we  resume  it  at  Chester,  Pa.,  Aug.  27, 1795.  J.  T.  G. 


27th.  Breakfasted  at  Chester,  13  miles;  from  thenee  to  the  City  of  Brotherly 
Love.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  bringing  me  thus  far  through  burning  heat  and  delug- 
ing rain.  The  roads  this  day  were  much  better  and  the  coun  try  appeared  delightful 
with  exceeding  good  building.  Visited  Bishop  White,  who  has  lately  ordained  a 
black  man  as  an  Episcopal  clergyman.  It  seems  that  even  Episcopalians  suppose 
the  negroes  have  souls.  After  delivering  several  letters  retired  to  Dr.  Rogers  for  the 
night.    Peace  be  under  the  roof. 

28th,  Attended  prayers  in  the  University.  Happy  sight  to  see  the  children  of 
rich  and  poor  meet  together  in  the  same  hall.  Atter  prayers  the  pupils  retired  to- 
their  different  rooms,  attended  by  their  tutors.  Let  science  blossom  like  a  rose  in 
this  seminary  and  every  useful  knowledge  nourish  like  a  bay  tree  within  its  walls1 
till  time  shall  be  no  more. 

29th.  Visited  some  friends,  etc.,  paid  for  Gen  W— n's  epaulets, 80d.  What  sha  II 
1  say  of  this  day  ?  Probably  some  good  has  been  done,  but  too  little  to  merit  a  place 
In  the  journal. 

30th.  Preached  in  the  morning  at  the  Baptist  meeting  house.  May  God  water 
the  seed.  Dined  with  Bishop  White,  an  agreeable  companion.  Heard  ivir.  Ustick 
in  the  afernoon.  Preached  his  birthday  sermon.  102  psalm,  Cut  me  not  off  in  the 
midst  of  my  days.  Preached  again  in  the  evening  in  the  Baptist  meeting  house. 
May  the  convictions  intended  to  be  made  take  deep  root  in  the  hearts  ot  saints  and 
sinners. 

Slat.  After  dinner  to  Penypeck.  Preached  in  Dr.  Jone's  meeting  bouse  to  a 
small  congregation  in  English  and  Welsh.  Come  holy  spirit,  heavenly  dove  with 
all  thy  quickening  powers,  etc.  I  am  confident  we  stand  much  in  need  of  a  double 
portion  in  this  place. 

Sept.  1st.  A  day  of  rest,  yet  I  begun  a  work  which  I  hope  Providence  will  smile 
upon  and  cause  it  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  of  my  life. 

2nd.  Through  a  thickly  settled  and  well  cultivated  country  to  Hopewell,  N.  J, 
Crossed  the  Delaware  at  Tay lo  r's  Ferry. 


119 

3rd.  Through  New  Brunswick  to  Scott's  Plain.  The  Lord  have  mercy  on  the 
poor  travellers  if  they  are  always  obliged  to  pay  SI  for  dinner. 

4th.  Through  Elizabethtown,  likely  10  kill  my  mare  in  bringing  her  to  the 
boat.  Arrived  at  New  York  late  in  the  evening.  A  man  should  always  keep  the  old 
resolution  never  to  go  by  water  when  he  can  go  by  land, 

5th.  Received  a  whole  bundle  of  letters  from  Wales,  which  will  take  me  a  long 
while  to  answer. 

6th.  Preached  in  Welsh  In  the  morning,  in  the  afternoon  in  English  for  Mr. 
Dunn.    Heard  Mr.  Stoughton  in  the  evening. 

7th.  Delivering  letters  and  visiting  old  friends. 

8th.  Very  wet  weather.  Preached  in  Welsh  in  the  evening.  Oh  7iiy  poor  coun- 
trymen, my  poof  countrymen.    May  God  provide  for  you. 

9th.  Still  trotting  from  place  to  place.    Dined  with  Dr.  H .  Smith. 

10th.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  Drowley,  where  I  slept  last  night,  were  both  taken  ill  of 
the  reigning  fever.  Wrote  a  Welsh  letter  for  the  press.  Went  on  board  the  packet 
for  Rhode  Island,  No  wind.  Returned  to  town.  Preached  for  Stanford,  "Irish 
Liberty." 

11th.  Rather  calm  in  the  morning,  passed  through  Hell  Gate  about  !>;  from  noon 
till  night  a  charming  breeze.  It  is  delightful  to  behold  the  prospects  we  had  this 
day  in  the  state  of  New  York,  Long  Island  and  Connecticut.  We  came  in  sight  of 
New  Haven  just  before  dark. 

12th.  In  the  night  the  wind  changed  and  has  continued  right  ahead  the  great- 
est part  of  the  day.  A  Warm  combat  about  slavery.  Came  to  anchor  off  Newport 
about  9;  about  10  the  health  officer  came  on  board;  finding  us  all  well,  we  were  per- 
mitted to  come  to  the  wharf. 

13th.  Landed  this  morning  and  breakfasted  at  the  Liberty  Cap  coffee  house. 
Delivered  my  introductory  letters.  Preached  in  the  forenoon  for  Mr.  Patten,  a  Con- 
gregationalism In  the  afternoon  for  Mr.  Thurston,  a  Baptist.  In  the  evening  for 
Mr.  Eddy.  1  had  large  congregations  in  the  alternoon  and  evening  and  the  people 
appeared  all  day  tolerably  attentive.  Althougn  1  had  a  bad  cold  something  con- 
strained me  this  day  to  preach  longer  than  usual.    May  God  water  the  seed. 

14th.  Visited  the  Newport  duck  manufactory.  The  sight  ot  it  did  my  heart 
good.  How  I  do  rejoice  to  see  industry  encouraged.  Here  I  saw  a  great  number  of 
the  American  fair  employed  like  rope  makers  in  spinning  the  hempen  fl=»x.  Health 
and  vivacity  appeared  on  every  cheek  and  their  nimble  feet  whilst  running  for  the 
next  thread,  caused  an  equal  circulation  of  the  blood  through  every  member- 
'Charming  nymphs,  heaven  protect  you  from  the  foes  of  virtue  and  if  I  know  of  any 
who  want  industrious  and  handsome  wives  I  will  send  them  to  the  Newport  duck 
manufactory. 

After  viewing  the  insideof  the  state  house  we  took  a  walk  round  the  town, 
Which  is  pleasantly  situated  on  a  capital  harbor  but  few  miles  from  the  sea.  The 
prospect  from  the  out  lots  of  the  town  is  very  pleasant.  The  surges  of  the  sea  wash- 
ing the  rocks  on  one  side  and  the  mainland  appearing  in  different  directions  on  the 
other.  The  windmills,  groves  and  natural  rocks,  like  grottos,  adorn  the  scene,  Con- 
sidering the  situation  I  am  surprised  the  town  appears  so  shabby.  Bad  frame 
bouses,  worse  streets,  no  foreign  trade.  This  may  be  the  cause  of  so  little  improve- 
ment. 

In  the  afternoon  we  took  a  ride  on  the  Island,  the  Sacred  Island  which  gave 
birth  to  civil  and  religious  liberty.  The  evening  turned  out  foggy,  a  circumstance 
Which  very  often  deprives  the  traveler  of  many  pleasing  prospects  in  this  part 
Drank  tea  about  9  miles  out  of  town,  and  returned  very  much  pleased  with  my  jant- 
Expounded  the  66th  Psalm  to  a  company  of  Negroes,  &c,  in  the  evening,  and  now  I 
■shall  retire  to  rest  under  the  shadow  of  Jehovah's  wings. 


15th.  In  the  p  icket  to  Providence  ;  delightful  scenes  ;  left  Bristol  and  Warren 
t<>  the  right,  both  very  smart  little  towns  ;  hills  and  dales,  rivers  and  mountains  form 
the  romantic  appearance  of  this  country;  landed  at  Providence  about  3  ;  called  on 
President  Maxey,  Dr.  Gano,  Mr.  Benson,  &c.     One  should  suppose   by   the   appear: 

f  this  place  that  it  requires  but   little  self-denial  to  become   a   Baptist.     Fine 
"iic  of  the  most   elegant  places  of  worship  on   the   continent;  the 

highest  steeple  or  tower  in  America.     Thus  the  poor   despised    Ii ts   are   elevated 

above  their  neighbors  in  ye  State  of  Rhode  Island.  They  claim  the  first  establish- 
ment of  this  Slate.  Being  persecuted  by  the  Presbyterians  from  the  east,  they  fixed 
their  tents  on  this  spot,  and  called  it  Providence.  The  immortal  Roger  Williams  was 
at  their  head.  This  man,  who  was  a  native  of  Swansea,  in  Glamorganshire,  has  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  leader  of  a  sect  who  did  not  establish  his  opinion  as  the 
religion  of  the  State.     I  am  almost  proud   that   this   honor  belongs  to  the  despised 

B pts.     It  is  true  the  Quakers,  in   every    instance    but   one,    have   followed    their 

example — but  this  act  of  Roger  Williams  and  his  company  was  antecedent  to  the 
settlement  of  Pennsylvania  by  the  illustrious  William  Penn. 

16th.  Visited  the  college,  a.  very  commodious  building  commanding  a  very 
extensive  prospect  down  the  river  and  in  every  direction  across  the  country.  To 
attempt  a  description  of  this  situation  would  hut  diminish  its  praise.  The  commence- 
ment is  hut  just  over — sorry  I  am  that  1  could  not  possibly  attend.  The  students  at 
present  are  not  more  than  90.  Such  a  situation  and  such  a  presidents  Maxey  ought 
to  command  double  the  number. 

1  shall  say  nothing  of  the  library  only,  yet  it  has  increased,  is  increasing  and 
ought  not  to  be  diminished.  The  museum,  although  in  its  infancy,  pleased  me 
much.  Part  of  the  philosophical  apparatus  presented  by  one  of  the  professors,  Dr> 
Fobes,  will  do  him  immortal  honor. 

Fair  seat  of  science,  flourish  far. 

Beyond  the  reach  of  cruel  war; 
Let  light  effulgent  still  increase, 

Within  thy  walls,  to  insure  peace. 

17th.  Not  very  well — nay  but  I  am  very  poorly;  between  the  heat  and  mos- 
quitoes 1  must  exercise  patience;  a  slight  touch  of  the  diarrhea— however,  J 
preached  in  the  Baptist  vestry  to  about  200   people;  the  meeting-house  would  be  too 

B0x80  with  double  galleries  on  each  side,  and  treble  in  front;  it; is  actually 
tiie  lies!  place  of  worship  I  have  ever  ye!  seen;  attended  a  funeral  with  Dr.  Gano — 
nothing  done  but  praying  at  the  house;  all  the  pebple  as  still  and  mute  as  a  some; 
drank  ten  with  Senator  Foster  and  Dr.  Drowne,  the  latter  a  most  modest  diffident 
man. 

18th  Lefl  Providence;  I  hope"  Providence  will  not  leave  me,  bnt  I  had 
strange  commotions  in  my  mind  this  morning;  an  American  fair — yes,  one  of  the 
fairest  I  ever  saw ,  sat  at  my  side  in  the  coach — meekness  and  modest  sat  on  her 
cheek;  everything  spoke  here  the  virtuous  maid;  what  heart  would  not  be  attracted 
to  her?  But,  alas — she  is  the  coachman's  wifej  Full-dressed  with  caring,  snow 
balls,  &c!  Turn  my  eyes  from  beholding  vanity— al'  the  beauty  in  the  work!  is  bul 
skin  deep;  in  the  evening  to  Boston;  put  up  al  Gol.  Ernes. 


country  we  passed  through  this  day  was  generally  stony   and  broken. 
By  mere  dint  of  industry  it  has  been  cultivated  and  become  thickly  ood  (>£- 

••.hards  arid  tolerable  houses;  good  aftermath  and  tolerable  cattle,  in  sonic  plai 

ll'ih.  Visited  Dr.  Slillinan,  who  received  me  very  kindly;  ditto  on  Rev.  Mr. 
Baldwin;  walked  up  and  down  the  town,  which  appears  to  be  full  of  business,  and 
has  been  of  late  full  of  faction  on  account  of  the  British  treaty. 

20th.  Preached  in  the  morning  for  Dr..  S-lan-n  ;  a  crowded  audience  in  a 
meeting  house  78  i\'<-t  by  •"><;  feet;  very  attentive,  although.  I  exceeded  tin;  bounds  of 
(lie  usual  time  in  my  discourse'.  Preached  in  the  afternoon  for  Mr.  Baldwin,  to  a 
very  decent  assembly,  but  not  quite  so  large  as  Dr.  S.'s.  I  am  highly  pleased  with  the 
conduct  of  the  Bpstpnians ;  they  seem  to  pay  great  attention  to  what  is  delivered: 
they  appear  affable  and  cheerful  in  the  streets.  My  friend  Dr.  8.,  I  find,  is  very 
much  respected  by  all  denominations  and  classes  among  them.  Here  the  American 
fair  excel  ;   here  I  need  pray  1  't  me  not  be  led  into  temptation. 

2ist.  The  first  day  of  the  French  year.  The  morning  was  ushered  in  by 
ringing  of  hells  and  firing  of  guns.  I  went  to  see  the  procession.  French  and  Amer- 
icans, with  Dutch,  French  and  American  colors  living.  The  sign  of  the  halance,  and 
ye  day  the  French  Republic  was  established  ;  may  it  be  auspiciously  commemorated 
to  the  end  of  time.  Visited  some  friends  With  the  Dr.,  who  has  as  much  work  as  he 
can  very  well  do,  to  visit  the  sick,  &c. 

Wrote  to  Mrs.  L.,  Carmarthen,  and  Mr.  Dr.  Richards,  of  Lynn. 

2L'nd.     Took  physic  ;  dined  at  Mr.  Xewnham's  ;  read  a  few  lines  and  acquired 

l   little  knowledge. 

23rd.  Visited,  Dr.  Morse,  author  of  the  American  Geography,  pre  thought  to 
reason  with  the  mobility  whilst  burning  Jay's  effigy.  Pie  received  a,  wound  in  the 
forehead,  not  intentionally,  hut  accidentally.  A  certain  man  formerly  told  his 
friend,  who  had  been  abused  by  the  mob,  "1  wonder  they  did  not  knock  your  brains 
out."  '•<_),"  said  the  man  "They  could  not  do  that,  for  if  1  had  anybrains,  I  would 
■not  have  gone  nigh  them."  I  do  not  mean  to  apply  this  to  Dr.  Morse,  for  he  is 
certainly  a  very  sensible,  judicious  man,  and  deserves  well  id'  his  country,  hut  we 
happen  sometimes  to  calculate  too  much  on  our  own  popularity.  Spent  the  evening 
among  the  Dostouian  fair,  whose  charms  are  sufficient  to  captivate  the  heart  of  an 
ahgel.  (My  remark'-  on  the  bridges  and  public  edifices  of  Boston  must  he  inserted 
in  my  last  day's  journal  before  I  leave  the  place). 

24th,  Wrote  to  Mr.  Ben  Davies,  IP  West;  walked  up  Beacon  Dill,  where  a 
large  monument  is  erected  to  commemorate  the  most  striking  events  during  the  lat( 
Revolution.  The  prospect  from  this  hill  is  beautifully  diversified — the  town  of 
Boston  in  every  direction  falls  undci  the  eye ;  the  little  islands  obstructing  the  river 
in  its  diii  c-  coursi  ean,  which  forms  a  majestic  appearance  at  the  distance  of 

ahoui  six  miles.  Look  to  the  country — the  scattered  villages,  with  their  prominent 
spires,  conn  try  scats,  with  their  rural  walks,  meet  the  eye  in  every  direction.  But 
yonder  is  Bunker  Hill,  where  the  famous  battle  of  June  17th,  1T7.">,  with  the  British 
"was  fought .  Phere  the  monument  of  Gen.  Warren  and  his  associates,  who  fell  on 
that  memorable  day,  stands  erect,  to' inspire  the  hearts  of  Americans  to  resist  des- 
potism and  oppression.     Dined  al  John  M.  Stillniari's  and  spent  the  evening  at  home. 


122 


A 

mbitious 

R 

obber 

I 

mpndenfc 

S 

lovenly 

T 

urbulent 

0 

utrageous 

C 

rafty 

R 

igorous 

A 

rtful 

T 

urk 

25th.  Spent  the  greatest  part  of  the  day  at  Charleston  and  walkn.g  alone 
about  Bunker's  Hill,  thinking  of  the  valiant  soldiers  who  fell  there.  On  the  monu- 
ment I  found  the  following  inscription:  "None  but  they  who  set  a  just  value  on  the 
blessings  of  liberty  are  worthy  to  enjoy  her.  In  vain  we  toiled,  in  vain  we  fought — 
we  bled  in  vain;  if  you  our  offspring  want  valor  to  repel  the  assaults  of  her  invaders." 
Dined  at  Dr.  Morse's  in  company  with  several  of  the  cloth;  mostly  violent  against 
the  Democrats  and  in  favor  of  the  treaty;  I  wanted  them  to  consider  the  following 
definition  of  the  words  Aristocrat  and  Democrat  as  given  in  yesterday's  paper. 

Being  in  company  a  few  nights  ago  with  a  number  of  young  men,  and  the  dis- 
course turning  upon  politics  and  among  other  things,  the  words  Aristocrat  and 
Democrat  were  mentioned  One  of  the  young  men  asked  another  what  the  meaning 
of  the  words  were?     He  made  answer — 

D    ecent 

E    nticing 

M    odest 

0    bliging 

C    areful 

R    eligious  and 

A    mi  able 

T  radesman 
or  other  good  citizen  who  wishes  a  gov- 
eminent  founded  on  the  rights  of 
the  people,  or  one  who  endeavors  to* 
support  such  a  one  when  estab- 
lished. 

Spent  the  evening  at  Mr.  M.  Stillman's,  in  company  with  Dr.  Still  and5 
Thatcher,  Messrs.  Baleh,  &c,  &c.  Poor  Randolph  is  roasted.  One  modest  clergy- 
man from  the  S.  W.  Territory  wanted  to  strangle  him ;  he  wanted  to  do  the  same 
with  the  western  insurgents.  This  is  a  modest  aristocrat  who  affirms  that  all  those 
who  oppose  the  treaty  are  the  children  of  Belial  and  absoluely  possessed  by  the  devil. 
He  prays  with  a  vengeance  that  Old  Nick  may  be  cast  out  of  them— 'but  I  am  afraid 
if  he  breathes  upon  them  the  Evil  Spirit  will  be  more  likely  to  get  into  them,  than 
out  of  them.  . 

26th.  Took  a  ride  in  the  coach  after  dinner  to  Cambridge  and  Fresh  Pond  ; 
the  latter  is  a  place  of  much  resort  about  five  miles  out  of  town.  The  situation  must 
be  very  agreeable  in  summer.  Such  a  large  fresh  water  pool  and  varigated  hills 
about  it  must  afford  agreeable  sensations  in  the  mind  of  a  citizen  involved  with  busi- 
ness.    Here  we  drank  tea  at  the  public  hotel,  the  only  house  in  the  place. 

At  Cambridge  we  went  to-  see  Harvard's  College  the  largest,  saith  Morse,  in 
the  Union.  The  library  contains  about  12,900  volumes,  which  are  well  arranged. 
The  museum  contains  several  Indian  curiosities  worth  seeing.  There  are  generally 
from  120  to  l.")0  students  instructed  at  this  place.  The  Congregationalist  have  not 
shown  great  liberality  in  taking  the  sole  management  of  this  college  to  their  own1 
hands,  since  Mr.  Hollys,  a  Baptist  from  London,  was  one  of  the  first  and  principal' 
patrons  of  the  institution. 


or  one  who  wants  an  arbitrary  govern- 
ment, and  a  share  in  the  administra- 
tion thereof. 


123 

27th.  1  never  dreaded  going  to  the  pulpit  so  much  as  this  morning;  a  violent 
diarrhea  kept  me  going  the  greater  part  of  the  night,  and  even  till  meeting  time — I 
ventured,  however,  and  through  mercy  found  no  ill  consequences;  preached  in  the 
morning  at  Dr.  Stillman's,  in  the  afternoon  for  Mr.  Baldwin.  "As  thy  day  is  so 
shall  thy  strength  be."  Blessed  promise!  let  me  die  whenever  my  strength  to  do 
good  fails  me. 

28th.  Very  poorly;  heavy  and  spiritless;  did  little  more  then  lying  down  this 
day;  saw  a  wedding  in  the  evening  at  Dr.  S.'s;  a  black  couple  genteely  dressed  in  silk 
and  satin,  &c;  these  are  the  blessed  effects  of  liberty;  God  grant  the  French  may 
never  lay  down  their  arms  until  the  whole  human  race  are  emancipated.  But  I  am 
told  the  free  Negroes  do  not  behave  as  well  as  they  ought  to  do.  Is  it  any  wonder? 
Let  us  consider  the  inequality  of  their  education  and  the  general  prejudices  which 
prevails  among  the  Whites  in  America  against  them.  Still  they  are  obliged  to 
acknowledge  that  as  they  increase  in  knowledge  they  become  better  citizens.  I  do 
not  wish  to  exalt  the  Blacks  above  the  Whites,  but  certainly  they  claim  an  equality  of 
rights. 

29th.  The  Boston  papers  do  little  more  at  present  than  abuse  each  other,  and 
of  course  abuse  the  public  who  are  obliged  to  read  their  trash.  Jacobites  Jacobins, 
Aristocrat,  Democrat,  Federalist  anti-dito,  and  worse  than  all  personal  abuse  on 
both  sides  of  the  question,  and  men,  who  have  and  do  deserve  well  of 
their  country,  but  perhaps  are  too  old  to  act  with  much  energy  on  such  occasions  as 
the  present.  But  my  question  is:  "When  shall  ye  time  come?"  "When  the  sighs  of 
the  slaves  shall  no  longer  expire  in  the  air  of  freedom!"  Ye  seekers  of  power; 
ye  boasters  of  wealth;  ye  are  the  Levite  and  the  Pharisee  who  restrain 
the  hand  of  charity  from  the  indigent,  and  turn  with  indignation  from  the 
weary  worn  son  of  misery.  But  sensibility  is  the  good  Samaritan,  who  taketh  him 
by  the  hand  and  consoleth  him,  and  poureth  wine  and  oil  into  his  wounds." 

30th.  Visited  the  lard  manufactory,  which  is  supposed  to  be  superior  to  any 
in  Europe.  I  was  happy  to  see  the  whole  process.  Happy  am  I  always  in  seeing 
the  noble  inventions  of  man  as  well  as  the  superior  works  of  God.  It  is  probable  we 
Only  begin  to  know  the  powers  of  mechanism;  for  as  we  carefully  turn  over  the 
leaves  and  examine  the  contents  in  the  book  of  nature  many  mysteries  unfold  them- 
selves to  our  view  which  will  still  add  new  discoveries  in  the  book  of  arts. 

Preached  in  the  evening  at  Dr.  S.'s.  It  is  enough  to  inspire  a  dead  man  to 
preach  to  see  1400  attentive  hearers  of  a  week-day  evening,  and  withal  to  hear  the 
sweet  singers  of  Israel  warbling  their  melodious  voices  to  the  skies.  O,  I  am  in  rap- 
tures of  love  with  this  assembly,  which  has  sans  doubt,  the  best  choir  of  singers  I 
have  heard  on  this  continent. 

Peace  and  prosperity  attend  the  whole  family  of  Stillmans  to  the  end  of  time. 
T  am  sorry  my  debt  of  gratitude  cannot  be  extended  to  many  more  of  the  Bostonians. 
They  are  polite,  and  will  ask  yo'u  to  •come  and  see  them,  but  I  am  an  insignificant 
Welshman.    Adieu. 

Oct.  1st.  The  exertions  of  last  night  increased  my  complaint ;  I  was  obliged 
'to  take  an  emetic  this  morning  ;  imprudently  went  out  to  dinner,  which  brought  on 
a  fever  in  the  evening.  If  self-preservation  is  the  first  law  of  nature,  1  am  often 
guilty  of  I ransgressing  the  first  commandment.  I  am  afraid  I  shall  have  much  to 
answer  for  impnidcm-Jos  of  conduct  in  regard  to  my  health. 


124 

Oct.  2nd.  Something  better.  However,  I  kepi  my  bouse  all  -lay:  spent  tn< 
greatest  pan.  of  it  in  reading  Backus's  History  of  the  Baptists  in  New  England, 
that  men  fleeing  from  persecution  should  be  guilty  of  the  most  horrid  per- 
secution themselves.  Peace  be  with  theashes  of  Roger  Williams, who  first  established 
liberty  apd  equality  at  Providence.  I  wish,  if  possible,  to  obtain  a  history  of  this 
grea^  man's  life,  that  the  public  may  see  the  character  of  the  first  founder  of  liberty 
in  America. 

•'Id.  Heard  Dr.  S-.  in  the  morning;  preached  in  the  afternoon;  attended  tin' 
conference  in  the  evening.  It  appears  as  if  the  Almighty  for  somewise  purposes 
meant.to  afflict  me  eVery  Sunday  morning.  This  morning  I  was  obliged  fcp  return  to 
bed,  yet  in  the  afternoon  I  found  strength  beyond  expectation  to  preach— the  Lord's 
name  be  praised. 

4th.  Spent  Che  day  principally  at  DY.  S.'s;  determined  to  beat  another're- 
treat,  which  is  the  2d  since  last  July;  the  first  occasioned  by  the  British,  the  2d  by 
iilness.  beingtoo  poorly  to  undertake  a  journey  alone,  besides  other  avocations  calling 
me  back  to  Pennsylvania. 

5th.  Wrote  to  R.  Furaan,  Charleston,  and  E.  Hills,  Savannah;  started  at  ■'. 
o  clock  in  the  stage  for  Providence;  dissipated  company.  It  appears  to  meyettfri 
inhabitants  of  this  country  are  running  a  race  as  it  were  against  time  in  the  road  to 
every  manner  of  corruption.  As  for  boarding  houses,  taverns,  etc.,  they  are  in  the 
way  to  cure  some  of  their  mania,  for  they  never  scruple  to  charge  as  much  again  as 
they  ought  for  almost    every  article;     travelled  'till  after  ten;    supped    and  paid    nine 

for  lying  down  only  three  hours— sleeping  was  out  of  the  question  with  me. 

6th.  Arrived  at  Providence  by  64  o'clock  ;  after  breakfast  laid  down  a  few 
hours,  and  attended  the  examination  of  some  fresh  students  at  college.  After  dinner 
heard  two  of  ye  highest  classes  repeating  some  pieces  on  the  stage.  I  was  highly 
gratified  in  hearing  some  of  them  pronouncing  trith  so  much  energy.  Visited  some 
friends  in  the  evening,  viz.,  Mr.  Urn.,  Mr.  Fr.  and  Mr.  Bh.  Retired  to  the  college 
house  ;  here  let  me  rest  under  the  shadows  of  Jehovah's  wings. 

7th.  How  have  I  spent  the  day'.'  What  have  1  done,  besides  reading  Wash- 
ington's, letters  ?  A  most  astonishing  character  to  be  sure.  He  must  have  a  world 
of  patience.  Cool  and  deliberate  in  all  bis  actions,  he  gained  the  esteem  and  confi- 
dence both  of  Congress  and  the  people.  Determined  in  his  plans,  he  could  not 
easily  brook  disappointments.  However,  he  was  taught  by  a  train  of  misfortunes  to 
give  way  to  ye  contingencies  of  the  times,  and  never  wanted  courage  to  renew  the 
action  whenever  an  opportunity  offered. 

8th.     By  some  strange  infatuation  I  am  kept  half  idle-  a  life  I    hate.     Visi 
a  few  friends,  if  I  can  call  them  so.     The  \e\\  Englanders,  of  all  men    I    have    ever 
seen,  are  the  worst  untowardly  towards  strangers.     There  are  a   few  exceptions,  un- 
doubtedly, hut  upon  the  whole  I  wish  myself  in  Pennsylvania. 

9th.  Impute  not  sin  to  thy  servant,  O  Lord.  Chastise  me  not  in  thy  hot  dis- 
pleasure. Remember  1  am  dust,  and  strengthen  tny  frame;  let  me  go  forth  in  Thy 
name  and  declare  Thy  glory  to  the  heathen.  Spent  the  greatest  part  of  the  day  op 
my  bed,  faint  and  feeble.  , 

10th.     A  very  wet,  stormy  flay;  heard  .Mr.  Gano  in  the  morning  preaching   Ur 

I  never  saw  such  an  opportunity  before. ;  only 


125 

one  woman;  poor  delicate  ladies.  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  to  about  four  times 
the  number  we  had  in  the  morning,  the  weather  being  something  better.  Ah!  fine 
weather  professors,  do  you  expect  the  sun  to  shine  upon  you  all  ye  way  to  Heaven'.' 
'The  above  statement  is  a  day  behind). 

1:2th.  Left  Rhode  island  State  ;  entered  Connecticut  by  Plainfield,  to  Nor- 
wich ;  slow  traveling  ;  bad  country.  The  hand  of  industry  alone  can  make  it  tol- 
erable. Norwich  is  upon  the  whole  a  pleasant  situation  and  contains  a  great 
number  of  houses  scattered  about.  I'ut  up  at  Brown's,  a  good  inn.  Distance  from 
Providence,  45  miles. 

Last  12th  of  October  I  landed  in  America.  I  commemorate  the  day  witli 
songs  of  thanksgiving  for  my  happy  deliverance  from  the  house  of  bondage  and  the 
yoke  of  despots. 

13th.  To  New  London  (14  miles),  after  waiting  one  hour  for  breakfast.  Set 
©ff  for  Saybrook  (15  miles);  crossed  the  Connecticut  River  and  passed  through  sev- 
eral little  villages  to  Guilford,  where  we  dined — 22  miles.  From  thence  to  N.  Haven 
(13  miles).  The  last  driver  excelled  all  the  rest.  The  country  we  passed  through 
this  day  is  very  broken  and  stony,  but  being  near  the  sea  and  inhabited  by  active- 
laborious  people,  it  appears  tolerable.  N.  L.  lies  in  a  good  situation  for  trade,  but  as 
yet  it  is  but  a  little  town.  The  great  number  of  sea  ports  on  this  coast  will  prevent 
each  other  to  rise  very  rapidly.  On  several  creeks  as  we  came  along  they  were  building 
sloops  and  brigs,  &c.  The  navigation  of  the  Connecticut  River  is  rather  difficult  up. 
unless  a  strong  wind  blows  up  the  river,   the   tide   running   down   rapid   and  hardly 

perceptible. 

14th.  New  Haven — very  well  laid  out,  for  a  healthy  town  ;  but  last  year  and 
this  I  find  it  has  been  to  the  contrary.  Yellow  fever  last,  and  the  dysentery  this  ; 
death  even  creeps  in  at  the  window.  Visited  the  University.  The  library  consists 
mostly  of  old  books  ;  the  students,  for  the  sake  of  obtaining  modern  books,  have 
been  obliged  to  subscribe  to  have  distinct  libraries  from  that  of  the  University. 
They  have  petitioned  this  day  for  more  generous  support  from  the  Assembly  of  the 
State,  who,  I  understand,  are  not  too  liberal,  for  1  was  present  when  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  resigned  his  office  for  want  of  a  sufficient  maintenance 
for  himself  and  family.  I  heard  likewise  the  same  day  three  of  the  Judges  of  South 
Carolina  defending  their  petitions  for  a  greater  salary,  otherwise  they  could  not  sup- 
port their  families.  Their  arguments  were  principally  the  advance  in  the  price  of 
provisions,  Arc,  taxes  and  public  burthens  being  less,  &c.  Here  we  may  trace  the 
advantages  of  a  Republican  government.  The  public  money  is  uot  squandered — 
even  public  officers  of  the  highest  rank  are  obliged  to  petition  for  an  increase  of 
salary. 

15.  Left  New  Haven  early  in  the  morning;  here  I  was  received  exceeding  well 
by  Isaiah  Meigs  and  Dr.  Derby;  I  had  no  time  to  call  on  Dr.  Dwightaud  Dr.  Edwards: 
left  several  letters  for  Middleton  and  Hartford  with  I.  Meigs.  The  case  of  my 
Wends  in  New  York  lay  so  much  on  my  mind  that  I  could  not  rest  without  knowing 
lheh  welfare;  no  doubt  many  of  my  friends  have  slept;  have  left  families  behind 
them;  maybe  in  distress;  If  I  can  relieve  them — at  least  I  must  go  and  see  them 
although  I  am  strongly  invited  to  tarry  behind.  In  my  opinion  there  is  something 
omnipotent  that  draws  me  forward.  I  do  not  know  yet  what  it  is,  but  I  shall  know 
hereafter. 


126 

16th.  Landed  in  town  (New  York)  last  evening,  knocked  at  Mr.  Wayland's 
door.  Hush  said  the  woman  in  the  passage,  lifting  up  her  hand.  What  is  the  mat- 
ter? Mr.  W.  is  dead,  out  of  the  fever.  Hush !  his  brother  is  dying  in  the  next  room. 
.Mr.  Lee  is  dead,  R.  T.  and  E.  S.,  etc.,  and  all  my  friends.  Stop  said  I,  it  is  too  much, 
is  such  a  one  alive?  He  has  been  sick.  1  was  electrified  and  trembled  like  an  ashe 
leaf.  I  mustered  all  my  powers,  but  it  was  too  late.  I  crossed  over  to  Brooklyn, 
found  lodgings,  slept  and  find  myself  something  better  this  day,  but  I  am  informed 
of  many  more  friends  gone.  Gone,  I  shall  see  them  no  more  in  this  world.  The 
widow  mother,  the  orphan  weeps  and  shall  1  refrain?  No !  I  will  join  the  guardian 
angel  to  shed  the  crystal  tear  and  apply  the  healing  balm  to  the  afflicted  spirit 
wherever  I  meet  him.  Wrote  to  Daniel  Jones,  Swansea,  and  Daniel  Davies,  Merthyr. 

17th.  Preached  at  Brooklyn  to  a  small  society  in  the  morning,  in  the  afternoon 
at  the  English  church  in  New  York.  The  absence  of  so  many  friends  affected  me 
much.    Heavens,  it  is  enough  !    Let  the  angel  of  death  hold  his  hand. 

18th.  Passed  through  town,  crossed  at  Pawler's  Hook  and  walked  to  Skyler's 
mines,  8  or  9  miles.  Quite  fatigued.  Many  of  the  Welsh  met  me  and  after  a  long 
conversation  parted.  What  will  become  ol  us.  O  God,  let  the  cloud  move  before  us 
und  lead  us  where  the  bounds  of  our  habitation  are  fixed. 

19th.  Having  sat  up  last  night  till  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  I  felt  the  effect  of 
it  this  day,  Very  sick,  however,  I  preached  in  the  evening  to  the  Welsh  and  con- 
sulted, after,  what  to  do  with  the  orphans.    Wrote  to  John  of  Vrechfer . 

20th,  Walked  to  New  York.  My  limbs  are  strangely  altered.  What  fatigue? 
Preached  in  Welsh  in  the  evening.    Slept  in  town. 

21st.  Called  on  Mrs.  Drowly.  -Poor  woman.  She  has  to  lament  the  loss  of  a 
most  excellent  husband.  Crossed  over  to  Brooklyn  for  I  do  not  find  myself  adequate 
to  tne  task  of  remaining  in  town,  but  if  there  was  a  particular  call  1  think  1  would 
not  flinch  from  the  post  of  duty,  But  alas  what  is  man  ?  This  day  I  heard  of  a  man 
who  fled  into  the  country,  leaving  his  wife  dying  without  a  soul  to  assist  her  with  so 
much  as  a  drop  of  water.  What  is  still  more  horrid,  he  left  two  young  infants  to  live 
or  die  with  her.     Humanity  where  art  thou  ? 

22nd.  Remained  at  Brooklyn  still  waiting  for  my  horse.  Wrote  to  my  brother 
and  to  Dr.  Rogers. 

24th.  A  day  lost  on  board  the  packet. 

To  town  and  back  to  Brooklyn  hunting  for  the  gent  who  brought  my  mare : 
could  not  meet  one  another  till  night.  Surely  there  must  be  some  Providence  in  de- 
taining me  in  town  this  day  when  1  ought  to  be  on  my  way  to  Scottsplain. 

25th.  Whilst  preaching  Welsh  in  the  morning  some  emigrants  from  South 
Wales  came  in.    For  their  sake  I  see  now  why  I  was  detained  yesterday. 

Preached  in  tne  afternoon  in  English  for  Dr.  Dann  ;  in  the  evening  in  Welsh. 
May  God  send  his  blessing. 

26th.  After  leaving  directions  and  as  much  money  as  1  could  spare  for  the  emi- 
grants 1  left  Brooklyn  and  passed  through  Newark,  where  I  dined,  to  Elizabethtowu 

27th.  Dined  at  New  Brunswick. 

To  Princeton,  put  up  at  Hamilton's  tavern  ;  too  late  to  visit  the  college. 

28th,  Breakfasted  at  Trenton  ;  an  agreeable  situation.  The  place  is  of  no  great 
importance  considering  metropolis  of  the  state.  Crossed  the  Delaware.  Bristol  a 
small  town  agreeably  situated  on  the  Delaware,  about  20  miles  from  Philadelphia. 
To  my  friend,  Dr.  Jones,  in  the  evening.  Not  at  home.  Well  then  I  must  talk  with 
the  old  lady  who  is  as  plain  in  her  address  as  an  honest  Quaker. 

29th.  Spent  the  day  in  moping,  reading  and  writing.  In  the  evening  1  met  a 
tew  Welsh  friends  and  expounded  a  chapter  to  them.    Thus  the  time  goes  on. 

30th.  Wrote  to  Col.  Edwards  and  Mr.  Toulmin.    Spent  the  rest  of  the  day  in 
.  reading  and  conversing. 

NOTE.— This  ends  the  diary,  as  we  have  it.  Doubtless  more  was  written,  and 
may  be  found  some  time.  J.  T.  G. 


DATE  DUE 

1 

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